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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGermany sees ‘spectacular increase’ in immigrants (now 2nd to the US)
Migration into Germany rose more than a third in 2012, as the continents strongest economy took in an additional 400,000 people, mainly from central, eastern and southern Europe.
The data will add to the debate over the extent of immigration in Europe, with rightwing and populist parties across the continent likely to exploit unease among some Europeans about the issue to make big gains in this weeks European parliamentary elections.
The latest rise means Germany has overtaken Spain as the industrialised nation receiving the second largest number of migrants. The US remains the largest recipient of migrants, although the pace of increase there has flattened. Since 2007, the number of US immigrants has actually fallen 3 per cent.
Overall, the number of migrants across the 33 OECD members, which represent the largest economies, is a third higher since the pace of cross-border movement began to pick up in 2000. But it is still 14 per cent lower than in 2007, the year before the global recession set in.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/4516602c-e025-11e3-b709-00144feabdc0.html#axzz32S8sfly7
Foreign-born are now about 13% of Germany's population, almost exactly the same percentage as the US.
34% of Germany's immigrants are "highly educated". In the US it is 21% and in Canada 31%.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)and a high quality of living all speak for themselves...The primary reason Spain gets so many is it's proximity to North Africa...
For the right opportunity I'd move to Germany tomorrow if I could...
newfie11
(8,159 posts)I have many friends over there but no way could I ever say German words correctly.
Aristus
(66,095 posts)Most Germans I encountered will be pleased that you simply made an effort.
Regarding people who try to speak German, with varying levels of success, most Germans are very polite and encouraging.
I actually speak German fairly well, and they were all astonished that I knew such German terms as fussgangerzone.
newfie11
(8,159 posts)Before I spring it on my German friends.
We went to Germany to pick up a puppy 7 years ago and I fell in love with the beautiful country and great people.
I was so astonished at the solar panels everywhere, even 400 year old stone homes.
Windmills also everywhere and that was 7 years ago.
Aristus
(66,095 posts)Every town and city has at least one. An open plaza for pedestrians only, no cars.
Last edited Fri May 23, 2014, 01:48 AM - Edit history (1)
It looked more interesting in German.