Millennials of Germany, (people in the age group 18-35) have the most welcoming attitude towards immigrants when compared with their counterparts in the rest of Europe, even as there seems to be a palpable increase in negativity towards immigrants and asylum-seekers in Europe’s largest economy.
A study carried out by German broadcasters Bayerischer Rundfunk, ZDF and SWR of over one million millennials from 35 European countries revealed that most of them have little or no confidence in their religious institutions and their governments and less than 50 percent are pessimistic about what future holds for them.
Of the 200,000 people belonging to 11 European nations questioned in the group, about 80 percent of German youngsters were of the view that immigration improves their country’s cultural diversity. In fact, 73 percent of all European youth felt proud to be a part of a multi-cultural community.
In 2016, Germany was witness to over 3,500 attacks on migrants and refugees in addition to 2,545 assaults on single asylum seekers.
Pauline Wipfler, a 21-year-old from Cologne, was quoted by The Independent as telling it that most immigrants in their country strived hard to integrate with the local population. She felt that German culture has profited because of new influences, particularly in the larger cities.
According to her, most citizens of Germany understood that only a few immigrants were causing trouble while the majority was trying their best to integrate with the Germans.