A new representative study by the Sinus Sociovision sociological institute in Heidelberg refutes many common prejudices and clichés about immigrants in Germany. Citizens of foreign origin living in Germany should not be painted with the same brush, according to the study's authors. They argue that negative clichés about foreigners who do not want to integrate into German society apply only to a very small group of immigrants. The majority of them are well-educated citizens who are successful professionally and socially.
According to the researchers' findings, most migrants in Germany see themselves as part of a multicultural German society and want to actively integrate into it without forgetting their roots. 87% of them generally consider moving to Germany the right decision.
Furthermore, Deutsche Welle reports, the study refutes the widespread assumption that most migrants are Muslims. In fact, according to the survey authors, only one fifth of citizens of foreign origin in Germany practice Islam. Catholics tend to dominate among migrants – adherents of this religion make up one third.
The study results indicate that among citizens of foreign origin living in Germany, the majority have a good command of the Russian language. Immigrants from the former USSR outnumber all other ethnic groups, accounting for 21% of all migrants. Turks are not far behind, at 19%. In third place are residents of Southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece), making up a total of 12% of all migrants. Poles account for slightly less, at 11%, and representatives of the former Yugoslavia at 10%.