A growing number of young Germans are seriously considering leaving the country. In the nationally representative “Jugend in Deutschland” (Youth in Germany) survey, 21% of respondents aged 14–29 said they are actively planning to move abroad, and 41% said they could imagine doing so in the longer term.
The results are based on a poll of 2,012 people aged 14 to 29 conducted by Datajockey Verlag between 9 January and 9 February 2026. Respondents pointed to economic and social pressures as key reasons: two years of economic stagnation, rising housing costs, uncertain career prospects in the face of expanding AI, and financial hurdles that delay independence.
“The results of the study show in a dramatic way just how much the pressures of recent years are affecting young people — in the form of stress, exhaustion and a growing sense of a lack of prospects,” said study director Simon Schnetzer.
Political developments are also pushing some to think about emigration. Young voters in Germany are showing stronger support for more extreme parties: a Tagesschau report found that 21% of voters under 25 backed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the recent Rhineland-Palatinate state election, while Die Linke received 19% from that age group. The surge of far-right support and a more polarized political landscape are factors prompting many younger people to consider leaving.
Students and young professionals interviewed for the study described personal reasons for wanting to go. Riff, a master’s student in social and cultural studies at Humboldt University, said nearly all her friends are thinking about moving abroad, especially those who are racialized or from minority backgrounds. She cited cuts to cultural jobs and democratic initiatives and expressed fear that fascism is on the rise. She also pointed to policy shifts by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and coalition partners that she views as aligning with proposals from the AfD, while acknowledging that migration is not an easy decision.
Mental health emerged as another major driver. The survey found a record 29% of young people say they need psychological support. That rises to 34% for young women, 32% for students, and 42% for unemployed respondents. Many reported turning to AI-supported counseling services as a coping tool.
For some, the motivation is lifestyle rather than purely economic. Frederick, a 29-year-old law student from Hamburg who spent three months in Tokyo during his PhD, said he is considering moving there. He explained that his preference is about lifestyle — “a little bit more peaceful, a little bit cleaner” — rather than income; he also mentioned Vienna, London and Paris as possible destinations.
Despite these trends, Germany remains the world’s third-largest economy by nominal GDP. Still, many young people look abroad. A 2024 Destatis poll named Switzerland as the top destination for prospective emigrants, followed by Austria. Vienna frequently ranks among the world’s most livable cities — Mercer placed it second in its 2024 Quality of Living survey after Zurich — and attractive options also appear across the United States, Spain and France.
Kaspar Ten Haaf, who studies Latin and music and hopes to become a teacher, said he understands why Austria and Switzerland appeal to young people. He added that those with immigrant backgrounds increasingly “don’t feel welcome anymore as parties like the AfD become stronger.” Ten Haaf pointed to growing inequality and called for higher taxes on inherited wealth and more support for low-paid workers. For now, he plans to remain in Germany after finishing his studies.
The survey paints a complex picture: economic worries, political polarization, mental-health strains and the lure of different lifestyles are all pushing a notable share of Germany’s youth to consider life beyond its borders. Whether those intentions will translate into long-term emigration remains to be seen, but the data underline a significant restlessness among the country’s younger generation.