Published March 24, 2026 — Updated March 24, 2026
A large majority of Germans say the country would struggle to cope with a new wave of refugees from Iran if conflict there escalates, while official figures show about four million people in Germany work night hours.
Poll: 73% doubt Germany could cope
– A Forsa survey found 73% of respondents believe Germany would not be able to cope with an influx of refugees fleeing the war in Iran.
– Concern was highest among supporters of the conservative CDU/CSU and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Majorities of Social Democrat (SPD) and Left party voters also expressed worry. Green voters were the most likely to say they would not expect major problems from additional arrivals.
– The findings come amid rising tensions and repression in Iran, which have prompted fears of potential migration flows. International organizations, however, say there are currently no clear signs of a large-scale exodus.
– Germany already hosts Europe’s largest Iranian diaspora, with about 319,000 people of Iranian origin, including roughly 128,000 German citizens.
– Past refugee inflows — notably the 2015–2016 wave when more than 1 million asylum seekers arrived, and the arrival of Ukrainians after Russia’s 2022 invasion — have shaped Germany’s migration policy and public debate.
Night work: nearly 1 in 10 employees
– New statistics show around 4 million of Germany’s roughly 42.6 million workers — nearly one in ten — worked at night (defined as 11 pm to 6 am) at least occasionally in 2024.
– Men were almost twice as likely as women to work nights (11.7% vs. 6.5%).
– Night work declines with age: 10.6% of workers under 35 worked nights, compared with 9.4% of those aged 35–54 and 7.4% of those over 55.
– Sectors with the highest shares of night work included aviation (42.6%), security services (40.2%), and metal production (31.1%). Transport and logistics, healthcare, and hospitality also showed above-average night-work rates.
– Night work was comparatively rare in construction preparation, IT services, and education.
Background and context
– The debate over potential refugee arrivals from Iran occurs against a backdrop of Germany’s recent history with migration and its sizable Iranian community. The poll reflects public anxiety about capacity and integration amid uncertain developments in the region.
– The night-work statistics highlight structural differences by sector, gender, and age, with implications for labor policy, health, and workplace regulations.
Stay informed as developments on both topics continue to evolve.