Refugees Are Feeling Increasingly Unwelcome and Perceiving Discrimination in the Labor and Housing Markets

Abstract

The sentiment among refugees in Germany has changed significantly: Using Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) data from 2016 to 2023, it can be seen that refugees have been feeling increasingly unwelcome since 2018, while their concerns about xenophobia have grown since 2019. In addition, cross-sectional data from 2022 refugees’ subjective experiences of discrimination in the workplace and when searching for jobs or housing. Refugees cite their ethnic origin as the main reason for perceived discrimination, followed by religion and appearance. Almost one third of refugees perceive discrimination when looking for a place to live. The perception of discrimination varies depending on a number of factors, including sociodemographic characteristics. For instance, refugee men with an intermediate level of education perceive less discrimination at work than their counterparts without a degree. Refugee women with an intermediate level of education are more likely to report discrimination when searching for housing more frequently than refugee women without a degree. In addition, refugee men living in eastern Germany perceive more discrimination across all the life domains examined than refugee men living in western Germany. To counteract discrimination, transparent processes for applications and awarding contracts in the labor and housing markets should be enhanced.