Subjective Experiences of Discrimination in the 2022 SOEP Main Survey

Data on subjective experiences of discrimination are crucial for highlighting the varying ways in which people are affected, for gaining a better understanding of the dynamics of discrimination, and for identifying specific areas where social and political action is needed. To date, however, there is no sufficient data set for comprehensive discrimination reporting that covers all categories of discrimination protected under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) as well as various areas of life.

The Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) is a representative longitudinal survey of private households that annually surveys approximately 30,000 people in around 20,000 households. To improve the data situation, the SOEP integrated a new question module on subjective experiences of discrimination into the main SOEP survey in 2022.

The aim of the study is to analyze the dataset from this new question module. This includes descriptive frequencies as well as multivariate analyses. The analysis focuses on the following topics:

Frequency of experiences of discrimination overall and by area of life; frequency of experiences of discrimination by discriminatory characteristics and sociodemographic subgroups; reactions to experiences of discrimination; consequences of experiences of discrimination.

The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency commissioned the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM) to conduct the Study.

Various repeated surveys in Germany have already included questions on subjective experiences of discrimination. However, these surveys often focus on specific population groups (for example, migrants or older people) or particular areas of life (such as the workplace or education). Until now, there has been no comprehensive measurement of discrimination experiences that simultaneously covers all grounds protected under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) and a range of different social domains. The inclusion of the discrimination module in the core SOEP survey fills this gap.

The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) is the largest and longest-running representative longitudinal study examining social change and living conditions in Germany. Each year, around 30,000 individuals living in private households are surveyed. In 2022, questions on subjective experiences of discrimination were included in the core survey for the first time. This provides a comprehensive and representative data basis for reporting on discrimination in Germany.

The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency commissioned the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM) to analyse these data. The study’s findings are intended to identify existing risks of discrimination and highlight the vulnerability of specific social groups across key areas of life.

Data Source
The analyses are based on data from the 2022 core survey of the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). Data collection took place between 9 May 2022 and 31 January 2023 and was conducted in two stages. Respondents first participated in a personal or telephone interview and subsequently completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire could be completed on-site using a tablet (CASI), online (CAWI), or in paper form (PAPI).

Methods of Analysis
The study employs descriptive analyses to examine the distribution of discrimination experiences across different areas of life and the distribution of responses to discrimination. In addition, multivariate regression models are used to analyse the risk of discrimination among different social groups and to investigate the relationship between discrimination experiences and health, life satisfaction, and other dimensions of well-being.

13.1% of respondents reported having experienced discrimination in the twelve months preceding the survey.

Discrimination affects members of certain groups significantly more often than others. For example, trans, intersex, and non-binary persons (31.8%)* as well as women (16.1%) reported experiences of discrimination more frequently than men (9.8%). Muslim respondents reported discrimination at a rate of 28.6%, almost three times higher than that of non-Muslim respondents (10.4%). Likewise, people with a migration background (21.0%) were considerably more likely to report discrimination than those without a migration background (9.8%).

Survey participants were asked to indicate which characteristics they believed were the reason for the discrimination they experienced. The majority cited characteristics protected under Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), most commonly ethnic origin or racist motives (41.9%) and gender or gender identity (23.8%). Many respondents also attributed discrimination to their appearance (25.9%) or socio-economic status (20.8%)—two characteristics that are not protected under the AGG.

A large proportion of respondents who experienced discrimination (79.0%) reported incidents occurring in areas covered by the AGG. The most frequently mentioned settings were access to goods and services (40.7%) and the workplace (39.2%). In addition, 20.3% reported discrimination in the healthcare and care sector. Furthermore, 27.4% of those who experienced discrimination stated that they had faced unequal treatment through state action, including interactions with public authorities, the police, or schools.

The majority of those affected (56.0%) did not take any active steps in response to the discrimination they experienced. However, 29.7% reported that they directly confronted the person or institution responsible.

The analysis of the SOEP data shows that people who have experienced discrimination are more likely to report a fair or poor state of health (24.7%) than those who have not experienced discrimination (14.0%). In addition, individuals affected by discrimination report lower life satisfaction, greater psychological distress, and declining trust in social structures and institutions.