According to one study, blacks, Muslims and Asians in Germany are at greater risk of poverty. Even a good education provides only limited protection against poverty. Racism is widespread in Germany. But what concrete consequences might this have for those affected? The German Research Center for Integration and Migration (DeZIM) in Berlin is investigating this question. Social scientists Cherin Salikutluk and Klara Podkovic wanted to know if there is a relationship between racism and the risk of poverty. The answer is positive.

The analyzes are based on the National Discrimination and Racism Monitor (NaDiRa), for which Salikutluk is co-responsible. “If you look at official statistics or federal government reports on poverty and wealth, they are mostly broken down by immigration background and German citizenship. What we are unable to say so far is what the situation is for people affected by racism in Germany.”

Daily discrimination

In an interview with DW, the expert explains that various areas such as the education system, the labor market, the housing market and the health sector were examined in order to better illuminate the issue. Other studies have already shown that there is discrimination when looking for a job, for example. All this increases the risk of having to live below the poverty line.

In Germany, people are considered to be at risk of poverty when they have less than 60% of the statistical average income. In 2023, this amount was 1,310 euros per month. 5% of Germans without an immigrant background were below this figure, as reported by respondents themselves, despite being in full-time employment. For blacks, Muslims and Asians, on the other hand, the average was 20%.

Risk of poverty despite good education

Even a good education – from vocational training in a craft business to writing a doctorate – provides only limited protection against precarious economic conditions.

At 33%, Muslim men are clearly the most affected. Study author Cherin Salikutluq has an explanation for this: around 20% of the Muslims surveyed have come to Germany after 2013, mostly from Syria and Afghanistan. In other words, from countries severely affected by war and poverty. “And it is already known that refugees are at greater risk of poverty, because of their difficult access to the labor market, for example,” says the author of the study.

If the name sounds foreign…

But even people with foreign roots who have lived in Germany for a much longer time or were born here and have German citizenship still face discrimination. Salicuktluk refers to experiments in which identical application documents were sent under different names. The result: “People who have a Turkish-sounding name, for example, are less likely to be invited to a job interview.”

As the social scientist says, the research findings highlight the need to take targeted measures to combat poverty and promote equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups. In the study there are specific proposals. One of the most important is that educational and professional qualifications acquired abroad should be recognised.

Integration acceleration

The study states that taking measures and promoting equal opportunities “would speed up the entry of refugees and other immigrants into the German labor market and give access to suitable occupations for workers with qualifications acquired abroad”. For faster integration into the labor market the group led by Salikutluk would like to see a faster inclusion of new arrivals in language and social integration courses.

Marcel Fratcher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), also calls for something similar. On the one hand, he considers the results of the study “shocking”, but on the other hand, he sees “enormous possibilities”.

Appeal to politicians

According to Fratcher, most businesses are very interested in giving these people prospects because they need trainees. That’s why the head of the DIW believes that politicians also have a duty: “A lot of flexibility is needed not only in the recognition of qualifications, but mainly in the training system itself,” says Fratcher.

The conclusion of the study on the relationship between racism and the risk of poverty is similar: Only by ensuring that earnings from professional employment cover the cost of living can the high rate of poverty among refugees be reduced.

Edited by: Sofia Kleftaki