Migrants in early boom: Denmark raises the alarm!

Migrants in early boom: Denmark raises the alarm!

In Denmark, a surprising development ensures heated debates: numerous non-western migrants are prematurely retired! Is migration really the salvation bearer for demographic change in the world of work? A study by the Danish employers' association (DA) shows troubling figures: especially migrants from Afghanistan, Iraq and the former Yugoslav states withdraw from working life above average at the age of 50 and 67. More than half of them choose the early retirement, while the Danes only take eleven percent of this step. This is a real eye opener! These spectacular figures were unveiled in Junge Freiheit

The question that arises is: Why do so many migrants retreat early? The employers' association leads physically hard professions and health problems through “escape experiences” as possible reasons. But these explanations are controversial. Erik Simonsen, the job market director of the DA, emphasizes the urgency of tightening the access regulations for early retirement and better integrating migrants into the labor market. Could this be the solution to alleviate the clear differences?

A look at Germany

The situation in Germany offers a slightly different picture because the local pension system places different requirements. In order to go into early retirement here, employment subject to social security contributions is necessary for at least five years. Nevertheless, the figures of the German Pension Insurance (DRV) reveal discrepancies: Of the 50- to 65-year-old Germans, 13 percent are retired, many of them prematurely or due to illness. The proportion of foreign early enthusiasts is somewhat lower at eleven percent, but here too there are differences between the groups of origin: 20 percent of the Turks, but only five percent of Iraqi, six percent of Afghans and only four percent of the Kosovars are in the early retirement.

Similar to Denmark, German pensioners of other origins are affected by early retirement. However, it should be noted in Germany-such as Welt -the structure of the pension system offers various peculiarities. While the system in Denmark generously enables early retirement even without long insurance times, the focus is on the contribution time in Germany. This could explain why the proportion in Germany is lower than in Denmark.

claims and perspectives

The call for changes becomes louder, both in Denmark and in Germany. The integration of migrants into the labor market must be reinforced in order to relieve the pension systems and create fairer conditions. Better access and working conditions could help make the early age unattractive and reduce health burden. Only through such reforms can migration be permanently regarded as an answer to demographic challenges.