Study Links Early Citizenship for Migrant Children to Improved Educational Outcomes

Research shows that granting German citizenship at birth boosts maternal support and academic success for children of migrant families.

A study by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) found that children of migrant mothers with German citizenship receive more educational support than those without.
The 1999 reform of Germany's citizenship law, allowing children born to migrant parents to gain citizenship under certain conditions, led to a 6% increase in the likelihood of these children earning the Abitur (university-qualifying diploma).
Migrant mothers play a critical role in their children's education, but they face challenges such as limited access to childcare and barriers to recognizing foreign professional qualifications.
The study highlights the potential of citizenship as a catalyst for integration, challenging arguments that it should only follow successful integration.
Recent changes to Germany's citizenship law in 2024, reducing the residency requirement for parents from eight to five years, are expected to further enhance educational and social outcomes for migrant families.