More people continue to move to Germany than move away from here.
However, the so-called migration surplus has clearly melted down.
For the fifth year in a row, “net immigration” has declined.
In any case, this is no surprise for the past year, as the global corona pandemic thwarted numerous cross-border plans.
Not only travel restrictions have had an immediate effect.
The economic slump is also making itself felt.
After all, almost a million people immigrated to Germany last year.
This shows that the country is still very attractive even within Europe, a country that at least 15,000 citizens left for Switzerland in the same period.
In contrast, only 6,000 moved to the United States of America.
As individual as the reasons are, it remains important to recognize that immigration is an important factor for Germany.
But not as an end in itself.
Protection for the needy and persecuted is a duty, freedom of movement and freedom of establishment are also among the cornerstones of the European Union.
In addition, the mantra-like statement “Germany is a country of immigration” must be added: Germany should choose its immigrants.