Overview

• A mid-May YouGov survey commissioned by dpa confirms that over 50% of Germans could imagine emigrating, citing dissatisfaction with migration policy, economic recession, and political shifts.
• Among Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) supporters, 79% express a willingness to emigrate, reflecting heightened political discontent within this group.
• Switzerland and Austria are the most favored destinations, chosen for their shared language, stable governance, and superior infrastructure.
• Historical trends show economic downturns, such as the ongoing recession, as key motivators for emigration, with political dissatisfaction playing a secondary role.
• Experts suggest emigrants are driven by nostalgia for a past era of German stability and efficiency, rather than a desire for fewer migrants.