Representation of Lawmakers with Migration Backgrounds Stagnates in German Parliament

Only 11.6% of Bundestag members have a migration background, far below their share in the general population, as new research reveals persistent gaps.

A study by Mediendienst Integration finds 11.6% of Bundestag members have a migration background, compared to 29.7% of the general population and 14.4% of eligible voters.
The percentage of lawmakers with migration backgrounds remains nearly unchanged from 2021, when it was 11.3%, marking a halt in prior growth trends since 2013.
The share varies significantly by party, with the Greens at 20%, the Left at 18.8%, and the SPD at 17.5%, while the CDU/CSU and AfD lag behind at 6.3% and 5.9%, respectively.
Structural barriers, such as party list placements and a recent election reform, are cited as obstacles for candidates with migration backgrounds.
The study also highlights that these lawmakers are generally younger and more female than the Bundestag average, with strong representation from EU countries, Turkey, and former Soviet states.