All Publications

Expert Council

Is Declining Trust a Threat to Democracy? Political Trust and Participation in an Immigration Society

Policy Brief | July 2026

Political trust in Germany had remained remarkably stable for a long time. Between 2022 and 2024, however, it decli significantly: in 2022, around two-thirds of people without a migration background still trusted the Federal Government and the Bundestag, whereas by 2024 these figures had declined to 44 per cent and 53 per cent respectively. Although people with a migration background continue to place slightly more trust in both institutions, figures have also declined in this demographic – from 72 to 60 per cent for the Federal Government and from 70 to 61 per cent for the Bundestag.

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Is Declining Trust a Threat to Democracy?Political Trust and Participation in an Immigration Society

Celebrating as the occasion arises? On the organisation of naturalisation ceremonies under the Nationality Act

Policy Brief | June 2026

Naturalisation ceremonies are well established in many countries of immigration; since 2024, they have also been enshrined in law in Germany following the reform of the Nationality Act. Naturalisation is more than just an administrative act: the presentation of the naturalisation certificate marks the conclusion of a process that is often lengthy and holds significant biographical and emotional importance for those being naturalised. In practice, local authorities organise naturalisation ceremonies in different ways.

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Celebrating as the occasion arises? On the organisation of naturalisation ceremonies under the Nationality Act

Room for Development: Housing and Participation in an Immigration Society

Annual Report | June 2026

For years, housing has been a central issue in social and political debates. For migrants, access to housing presents a particular challenge. At the same time, home is more than just the roof over one’s head. A person’s housing situation affects their integration and participation, including their access to education and the labour market and their interactions with others. A lack of affordable housing is now also hindering the recruitment and retention of skilled labour.

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Room for Development: Housing and Participation in an Immigration Society
7 core messages of the SVR Annual Report 2026

Press Release

A matter of trust: Why the German Armed Forces need more people with a migrant background

Policy Brief | October 2025

The changing geopolitical landscape has heightened the security policy significance of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). To fulfill its mission, the Bundeswehr must significantly increase its troop strength. But how much do individuals with and without a migrant background trust the Bundeswehr? To address this question, the SVR's scientific staff has analyzed data from the 2024 Integration Barometer, which for the first time assessed trust in the Bundeswehr, in its latest policy brief.

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A matter of trust: Why the German Armed Forces need more people with a migrant background

Diaspora and more. Civil society engagement of Afghan and Syrian communities in Germany

Study | July 2025

In recent years, Afghans and Syrians have been among the largest groups of refugees seeking protection in Germany. They have founded numerous organisations that work on behalf of their respective communities or countries of origin. The civil society involvement of refugees is only beginning to be recognised in policymaking and research. The SVR's scientific staff interviewed Afghan and Syrian organisations in Germany about their work. As the study shows, the organisations undertake a broad spectrum of activities. The study provides an overview of their history, special features, potential and challenges. Differences and parallels between Afghan and Syrian organisations are also addressed.

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Diaspora and more. Civil society engagement of Afghan and Syrian communities in Germany (English)
Summary in Pashto
Summary in Arabic
Summary in Dari

Unlocking Hidden Potential: Facilitating Career Entry for International Professionals in Day Care Centres and Schools

Policy Brief | May 2025

Germany is facing a pronounced shortage of skilled workers in day care centres and schools. Immigrant educational professionals could make a significant contribution to closing this gap and making day care centres and schools more sensitive to diversity. However, they face numerous hurdles to entering the profession.

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Unlocking Hidden Potential: Facilitating Career Entry for International Professionals in Day Care Centres and Schools

Reforms that work? The implementation of current migration and integration laws

Annual Report | June 2025

Migration and integration policy is subject to particularly high expectations from businesses and from society as a whole. This means that politicians are under pressure to act. Numerous changes have been instigated in recent years. New laws and regulations are intended to ensure easier access to skilled worker immigration and easier labour market integration. But how is this legislation being implemented in practice? Have the intended effects materialised?

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Reforms that work? The implementation of current migration and integration laws
Nine core messages of the SVR Annual Report 2025

Graphics (Selection)

Integration policy approaches to labour market integration
Naturalisations in Germany 1991-2023
Entangled structures and optimisation options

Press Release

Young and diverse, but not yet politically engaged? Pathways to greater participation for young people with an immigration history

Study | March 2025

A new study by the scientific staff of the Expert Council on Integration and Migration (SVR) has examined the opportunities and obstacles to political participation for young people with a migrant background between the ages of 15 and 35. In addition to a lack of political education, the main hurdles identified were difficult access to politics and a lack of representation for their own group. In order to improve participation, political education work in schools and extracurricular contexts is crucial; role models in politics are just as beneficial as anti-racism and anti-discrimination work.

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Young and diverse, but not yet politically engaged? Pathways to greater participation for young people with an immigration history

Integration Climate 2024: Slight Weakening of the Positive Trend

SVR Report | December 2024

Following a high in the last survey, the integration climate has deteriorated again slightly. This development is primarily due to a more sceptical perception on the part of respondents without a migration background. The willingness to grant people protection from political persecution or war remains high, even if one in three people now initially perceive refugees as a threat to prosperity in Germany. The SVR's Integration Barometer also focussed on relocation and migration intentions. Respondents with and without a migration background differed only slightly here.

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Integration Barometer 2024 (Summary)

Position paper on EU asylum policy

Position Paper | November 2024

On 1 December 2024, the new European Commission will take up its work. To mark this occasion, the Expert Council on Integration and Migration (SVR) has published a position paper on the implementation of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and the current debate. The recommendations for the EU legislative period from 2024 to 2029 are aimed at both the European institutions and those responsible at federal level in Germany. The focus is on the question of whether the European Union is moving towards a Europe of solidarity and implementing asylum policy together or whether the member states will continue or even increasingly go it alone.

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Position paper on EU asylum policy