1 in 5 young Germans are considering leaving the country - Increasingly difficult living conditions and stress are the main reasons
A growing number of Germans aged 14-29 say they are actively planning to leave their homeland. According to a recent study called "Youth in Germany," around 21% of young Germans surveyed say they are actively planning to leave Germany to find a better life. A full 41% say they can imagine moving abroad in the longer term.
The findings are based on a nationally representative survey of 2,012 people aged 14 to 29, conducted between January 9 and February 9, 2026. Respondents said they were concerned about economic security in Germany, which has had a stagnant economy for the past two years. Rising housing costs, poor career prospects in the face of artificial intelligence and increasing financial pressure are making it harder for young people to become independent, survey participants said.
"The study results show in a dramatic way how much the pressures of recent years are affecting young people in the form of stress, fatigue and a growing sense of lack of perspective," said the study organizers.
Generation Z is also moving towards political extremes in Germany. 21% of voters under the age of 25 voted for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the recent Rhineland-Palatinate state election. Meanwhile, the left-wing Die Linke party received 19% of the vote from this age group. The country’s increasingly polarized political landscape, particularly the rise of far-right parties, is causing many young people to consider leaving.
Germany remains the world's third-largest economy by nominal GDP, behind the United States and China. So where are these young Germans going? According to a 2024 Destatis survey, Switzerland is the top destination, followed by Austria. The Austrian capital, Vienna, consistently ranks among the most liveable cities in the world, with its reliable public services and high quality of life. In Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living survey, the city ranked second in the world, behind only Zurich. Other countries with cities on the list include the United States, Spain, and France.
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