German chancellor falsifies data to defend pro-migration policy: Scholz claims 9 million foreign nationals are employed, but only half of that figure actually have a job

Scholz said, “Nine million citizens live and work in our country without having German citizenship.” Subsequently, almost all media have adopted this claim. But in fact, according to the Federal Statistical Office, only 4.5 million foreign nationals living in Germany are employed, and are thus subject to social insurance contributions. This is only half as many as the German chancellor claimed.

The figure is significant because Scholz linked it to his main argument that “those who live and work here permanently should also be able to vote and be elected.

“They should be part of our country with all the rights and duties that go with it – and completely independent of origin, skin color or religious confession,” he added.

According to official figures, a total of 11.8 million foreigners currently reside in Germany. If 9 million were actually working here, this would equate to an employment rate among migrants of 76.3 percent. However, in Germany as a whole, only 40.7 percent of all residents are employed and subject to social insurance contributions. The rest are children, pensioners, the unemployed, and welfare recipients.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, the rate of non-Germans working in Germany is below average at 38.5 percent.