Labour force potential of spouses moving in from other EU countries and third countries

Migration Department

Project head: Dr. Franck Düvell

Project coordination: Dr. David Schiefer

The shortage of skilled workers in Germany is discussed time and again. However, little consideration is given to the labour force potential of those who have not come to Germany as labour migrants, but as partners within the framework of family immigration and are already in the country. Within the framework of the project, their labour force potential was examined using data from the Microcensus and the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). The socio-economic situation of the families was worked out and the professional qualifications and employment aspirations of the spouses who joined them were described. A distinction was made between migrants from the EU and from third countries.

Results: About a quarter of all people of working age who have moved to Germany since 2005 came to start a family or to join their family. 40 percent of them came from EU countries. About three quarters of the respondents were women, about three quarters were younger than 40. Most of them are well educated, one third even have a university degree. But only slightly more than half of them are employed. This potential could be used much better. The results were published in a DeZIM Briefing Note (March 2020) and a DeZIM Research Note (May 2020).

Funding: Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Third-party funding)