A growing number of young Germans are seriously considering leaving the country, with a new study suggesting that economic stress, worsening mental health, and political frustration are pushing many to look abroad for better opportunities.
The study, titled Youth in Germany 2026 – Future Under Pressure, found that 21 percent of people aged 14 to 29 are planning to emigrate, while a further 41 percent said they could imagine doing so. The findings are based on a representative survey conducted between January and February 2026.
As reported by Bild, researchers said the desire to leave is closely tied to financial insecurity. Nearly one in four respondents, or 23 percent, reported being in debt, the highest level recorded in the study. Rising rents, housing shortages, and fears of falling into poverty were all cited as major pressures felt by young people.
Kilian Hampel of the University of Konstanz said those under the greatest financial strain were especially likely to report plans to move abroad. He said these young people are more often in debt, feel more threatened by poverty, suffer higher levels of psychological stress, and receive less support from their parents.
The emigration crisis in Germany has been brewing over the last few years. According to DeStatis, in the first four months of last year, over 93,000 Germans left the country, significantly more than the 80,105 departures recorded for the same period in 2024.
Despite Germans seeking opportunities elsewhere, the population continued to rise due to mass immigration. Between May 2022 and April 2025, a total of 2,089,025 more non-Germans moved to Germany than have left the country, while 262,476 more German nationals have left the country than have returned.
The recent survey also highlighted a concerning mental health crisis among young people. Some 29 percent of respondents said they needed psychological support, another record high. The figure rose to 34 percent among young women, 32 percent among students, and 42 percent among unemployed respondents.
According to the study, 60 percent of young people showed signs of addictive smartphone use, while many are also turning to AI-based counseling tools to deal with personal problems.
Many no longer believe effort alone is enough to secure stability or upward mobility in Germany. Economic uncertainty and the growing role of AI were both seen as threats to career prospects, helping to make vocational training more attractive than traditional academic routes.
The study also pointed to rising political alienation and sharper polarization. Researchers found support growing at both ends of the political spectrum, with the Left Party polling especially strongly among young women, while the AfD was gaining more backing among young men.
Those on the left were more likely to point to Germany’s shift to the right and the growing influence of the AfD as factors behind their thinking. At the same time, the study said even young people who voted for the AfD were more likely than others to report plans to emigrate, showing a deep disillusionment with the current political and demographic climate.
Nina Kolleck of the University of Potsdam warned that the discontent should not be underestimated. “The youth’s protest is not loud, but something is brewing beneath the surface that could endanger the economy, regions, and social security systems in the long term,” she said.
Klaus Hurrelmann of the Hertie School in Berlin said too many young people feel ignored on the issues that matter most for their future. As cited by Deutsches Schulportal, he argued that trust could only be rebuilt if politicians gave the younger generation more responsibility and created new forms of participation, including intergenerational dialogue.
