Graphic Representations of Refugee References Continue to Mislead Public Funds Allocation

In recent days, a list titled "Unemployment Benefit Recipients by Citizenship" shared online by members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Petr Bystron and Nicole Höchst, has sparked debate. The list, which suggests that 59% of unemployment benefit recipients are from Ukraine and only 5.3% are from Germany, has been shared thousands of times.

However, labour market researcher Martin Lange cautions against reducing asylum to a cost-benefit ratio, stating that it's about a human right. The controversy surrounding the list stems from the fact that both graphs shared by Bystron and Höchst are misleading. They imply that Germans receive only 5.3% of unemployment benefits, while Ukrainians receive about 59%.

The May 2025 migration monitor from the Federal Employment Agency shows that more than half of unemployment benefit recipients are German, around 2.8 million people. Out of the approximately 5.4 million beneficiaries, about 1.4 million are not employable.

The graphs, which show bars with flags and country names in descending order (Bystron's diagram) and flags and percentages (Höchst's graph), have been met with criticism. The percentages in Bystron and Höchst's unemployment benefit graphics are not verifiable, and the search results do not provide information about which source they used for their unemployment benefit diagrams.

Refugees often face additional challenges in finding employment due to factors such as learning German, finding accommodation, and childcare. The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) has found that the employment rates of refugees increase with longer residence in Germany. Initially, refugees may worsen professionally due to factors such as not being able to prepare their emigration as well as other migrants.

It's important to note that tax and social security obligations apply from the first day of employment for foreign employees, and people with non-EU citizenship can work in Germany if their residence permit allows it, and they have the same rights and obligations as employees with German citizenship.

The employment prospects of refugees can differ significantly, with some reaching employment levels similar to the local population after about 15 years. The average unemployment benefit in March 2025 was €728, with Germans receiving an average of €735 and those with foreign citizenship receiving an average of €719.

Asylum seekers make up a significant portion of Germany's population, with around 65% of Ukrainians living in Germany dependent on basic security, as are almost 4% of Germans. Most Ukrainian refugees have been in Germany for less than 3.5 years.

Others have pointed out that the 5.3% with German citizenship is actually more people than all other groups combined. Höchst's claim that foreign people in Germany are "cashing in" without paying social contributions is misleading as around 5.7 million foreigners were employed in Germany and subject to tax and social security contributions in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Citizen's income is not a social security benefit, but is financed from taxes. More than half of Ukrainian refugees are women, and many are mothers with minor children, which can make finding employment more challenging. The IAB has found that the employment rate is around 62 percent on average seven years after moving to Germany.

In conclusion, the controversial graphs shared by Bystron and Höchst have been met with criticism for their misleading nature. The employment prospects of refugees can differ significantly, and it's important to remember that asylum seekers make up a significant portion of Germany's population and face unique challenges in finding employment.