Germany has felt the most significant impact of mass immigration, especially following the 2015 migrant crisis, when over a million asylum seekers, primarily from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, entered the country. This sudden influx placed intense pressure on public services, including healthcare, housing, and education. Additionally, Germany faced challenges in processing asylum applications, handling social services, and managing integration programs to support these newcomers. Despite the contributions to Germany’s labor force, the demands on public infrastructure and resources remain substantial, highlighting the far-reaching effects of immigration.
In France, immigrants make up just over 10% of the population, with many working in essential industries like healthcare, agriculture, and transportation. This reliance on immigrant labor underscores immigration’s role in sustaining these sectors. However, the increased demand for public services and the debate over social cohesion continue to present challenges. As a result, France is significantly impacted by immigration, but to a lesser extent than Germany, particularly in terms of resource allocation and public service management.
The United Kingdom, while experiencing substantial immigration over the past two decades, has faced comparatively fewer impacts on its public infrastructure and social systems. Studies from Migration Watch UK indicate that immigration has represented an overall net fiscal cost, with estimates ranging between £4 billion and £13 billion annually from 2014 to 2017. Concerns over the strain on housing, healthcare, and infrastructure have been raised, but the overall impact remains less severe compared to Germany and France, with fewer challenges in social integration and public service demand.
Overall, Germany bears the most significant impact from mass immigration, followed by France and, to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom.
Sources:
- Germany’s never-ending migration crisis – POLITICO
- How Has Germany’s Economy Been Affected by the Recent Surge in Immigration? – Liberty Street Economics
- Migration Report 2021 Key findings – BAMF
France
- As France moves to limit the rights of migrants, research reveals just how reliant on them it is – The Conversation
- France’s immigrants: We look at the trends in the latest official data – The Connexion
- Migration is Remaking Europe: Is There a Workable Path Forward for the Continent? – Hoover Institution
United Kingdom