Overview
- The youth survey, reported Wednesday by Der Tagesspiegel and Focus, finds 20% of 14- to 29-year-olds plan to leave and 41% can picture life abroad.
- The team led by researcher Kilian Hampel with the Allensbach opinion institute interviewed about 2,000 people aged 14 to 29.
- Hampel says many look abroad for better quality of life and steadier prospects as they expect worsening living standards, a weaker economy, tight housing and fraying social trust at home.
- Respondents with exit plans report more debt and higher mental-health strain, and intent is stronger among men than women at 25% versus 17%.
- Researchers warn of a risk to the talent pool, yet related work finds follow-through is rare at about 2%, and a profiled couple returned from Spain after pregnancy and registration hurdles.