Older migrants

Integration Department

Project head: Prof. Dr. Magdalena Nowicka

Of the almost 21.1 million people with a migration background in Germany, about 9.7 per cent were over 65 years old, according to the 2019 microcensus. However, the still relatively small group of older migrants will become increasingly important in the course of demographic ageing. The project conducted comprehensive research to provide an overview of the living situation of older people with a migration background in Germany based on the relevant research literature to date. Subsequently, existing data sources were reviewed to see whether they could close the previously identified research gaps. Finally, using data from the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), an analysis of the situation of the older population with migration experience in selected areas of life was carried out.

Results: An extensive literature review indicates socio-economic and health disadvantages of older people with a migration background. The current state of research was summarised in two Research Notes, which will be published in 2021. Evaluations of the Socio-Economic Panel show, among other things, that especially older women with migration experience, migrants living in East Germany and people from the main refugee countries and the former Soviet Union are disadvantaged with regard to their pensions. Older migrants with little knowledge of German and from groups of origin that indicate a migration context report experiencing discrimination significantly more often.

Funding: Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Institutional funding)