Perspective of unaccompanied minor foreigners (UMA) in Germany

Unaccompanied minor refugees (UMAs) are among the most vulnerable groups in the German reception system. After arriving in Germany, they are taken into care by child and youth welfare services and accommodated in facilities intended to provide protection, education, and integration. Despite the significant social and political relevance of this issue, there is still limited systematic knowledge about how these young people themselves perceive their living situation and what experiences they have in their interactions with state institutions.

The project “Perspectives of Unaccompanied Minor Refugees (UMAs) in Germany” addresses this gap. It explores how UMAs shape their lives in Germany, what challenges they perceive, and what their visions for the future are. The study combines quantitative and qualitative methods: a standardized survey of 168 young people covered key areas such as education, housing, health, and social integration. In addition, 58 semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of individual experiences and biographical backgrounds.

The findings provide a multifaceted picture of the living conditions of UMAs in Germany. They show that many young people, despite often difficult starting conditions, develop high educational aspirations and stable social networks. At the same time, they experience institutional uncertainty – for example due to unclear residence status or changing care arrangements.

The project thus provides important empirical foundations for policy and practice, particularly for the further development of youth welfare services and integration support. It highlights which conditions foster stability, trust, and future prospects, and where there is a need for action to sustainably support the transition of these young people into education, employment, and society.

Previous studies on unaccompanied minor refugees have primarily focused on institutional procedures, legal frameworks, or the perspectives of professionals. The voices of the young people themselves have rarely been systematically captured. This project closes that gap by placing the perspectives of UMAs at its center and combining quantitative and qualitative data. In doing so, it enables a differentiated understanding of their experiences, needs, and future aspirations – and provides empirically grounded guidance for youth-oriented approaches to care, education, and integration support.

The aim of the project is to make the lived realities and future perspectives of unaccompanied minor refugees in Germany visible and better understood. The study seeks to identify which factors promote or hinder their well-being, educational opportunities, and social participation. Based on these insights, practical recommendations are to be developed for youth welfare services, educational institutions, and policymakers in order to provide more targeted and effective support for this particularly vulnerable group.

The project combines quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a comprehensive picture of the living situation of unaccompanied minors. Between autumn 2019 and spring 2020, 168 standardized interviews were conducted nationwide with young people receiving support from youth welfare services. In addition, 58 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were carried out, allowing participants to describe their experiences and aspirations in greater detail. The analysis was conducted comparatively across key thematic areas such as education, social relationships, housing, and future expectations. By integrating both methodological approaches, the study makes visible both statistical patterns and individual perspectives.

The study shows that unaccompanied minor refugees (UMAs) generally evaluate their lives in Germany positively, particularly with regard to education, vocational training, and social contacts. Many young people report a strong sense of belonging and clear future goals. At the same time, the data reveal structural challenges: uncertain residence prospects, psychological stress resulting from experiences of flight and separation, and institutional discontinuities during the transition to adulthood. Stable caregiving relationships, continuous educational opportunities, and transparent procedures in the residence and welfare system are crucial for successful integration. Overall, the study underscores that UMAs are not a homogeneous group – their living conditions and perspectives vary significantly depending on their origin, residence status, and social environment.