A recent study by the German Economic Institute (IW) reveals that foreign workers are playing a crucial role in the economies of eastern German states, contributing a significant €24.6 billion to the region’s gross value creation. The study notes a substantial increase in the number of foreign workers, with 403,000 immigrants working in the region in 2023 compared to 230,000 five years prior.
Immigrants Boost Eastern German Economy
The authors emphasize the importance of foreign workers to the region, pointing out that the economic downturn could have occurred if fewer immigrants had arrived in the past five years. They identify Saxony, Brandenburg, and Thuringia as the states benefiting the most from foreign labor.
Major Contributors and Industries
Most immigrant workers in the region come from Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Ukraine, primarily working in housing, road construction, and temporary services. Co-author Wido Geis-Thöne stresses the need for eastern Germany to remain open to immigrants to sustain its economic success.
Despite the positive impact of foreign workers on the economy, anti-immigrant sentiments persist in eastern Germany, particularly with the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The study highlights the irony of immigrants aiding the economy while facing fear and hostility.
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