Think life is great in Germany? Many young Germans disagree. A growing share of people aged 14–29 say they are actively planning to leave. In the “Jugend in Deutschland” (Youth in Germany) study, 21% of respondents reported they are actively planning to move abroad, and 41% said they could imagine doing so in the longer term.
The findings come from a nationally representative survey of 2,012 people aged 14 to 29, carried out between 9 January and 9 February 2026 by Datajockey Verlag.
Respondents cited worries about economic security after two years of stagnation, rising housing costs, weak career prospects amid the spread of AI, and mounting financial strain that make independence harder to achieve. “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 concerns also drive the desire to leave. Gen Z in Germany is leaning toward political extremes: 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 rise of far-right parties and a more polarized landscape are prompting many young people to consider emigration.
Riff, a social and cultural studies master’s student at Humboldt University, said nearly all her friends are thinking about leaving, especially those who are racialized or belong to minorities. She added that cuts to cultural jobs and democratic initiatives make her worry that fascism is on the rise. She also noted political moves by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and coalition partners that appear to adopt policies similar to those proposed by the AfD. Still, she acknowledged migration is not easy.
Mental health is another major factor. The study found a record 29% of young people say they need psychological support — 34% of young women, 32% of students and 42% of unemployed respondents. Many reported turning to AI-supported counseling services to cope.
For some, the appeal of a different lifestyle is decisive. Frederick, a 29-year-old law student from Hamburg, spent three months in Tokyo during his PhD and is considering moving there. He said his preference isn’t primarily financial — Germany still offers a strong market for young lawyers — but lifestyle: “a little bit more peaceful, a little bit cleaner.” He also mentioned Vienna, London and Paris as possible destinations.
Germany remains the world’s third-largest economy by nominal GDP, behind the United States and China. Still, many young Germans look abroad: a 2024 Destatis poll named Switzerland the top destination, followed by Austria. Vienna frequently ranks among the world’s most livable cities, placed second in Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living survey after Zurich; other attractive cities appear in the US, Spain and France.
Kaspar Ten Haaf, who studies Latin and music and hopes to become a teacher, said he understands the draw of Austria and Switzerland. He added that people with immigrant backgrounds increasingly “don’t feel welcome anymore as parties like the AfD become stronger.” Ten Haaf highlighted rising inequality between social classes and argued for higher taxes on inherited wealth and more support for workers in low-paid sectors. For now, he plans to stay in Germany after finishing his studies.