A decade ago, Germany embarked on one of its boldest humanitarian chapters. In 2015, Chancellor Angela Merkel famously declared, “We can do this,” as Germany welcomed over one million refugees fleeing conflict across Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq Center For Global DevelopmentThe GuardianLe Monde.fr.

In the early phase, the country moved rapidly: integration courses opened early for those likely to remain, asylum processing sped up, and regional distribution of refugees followed the Königssteiner Schlüssel model WikipediaCenter For Global Development. By 2018, approximately 72% of arrivals had protection, enabling unrestricted access to work Center For Global Development. A remarkable turnaround followed: nearly half of refugees had found a job, internship, or training by that point, and German language fluency jumped from 1% upon arrival to 44% Center For Global DevelopmentThe New Humanitarian.

Refugees became a lifeline for Germany’s labor market, offering vital skills amid demographic decline. Syrians, in particular, integrated into essential sectors—many are now reluctant to return to a volatile Syria Reuters.

Still, challenges endure. A significant portion of newcomers remain in low-paid or precarious roles, facing a downward skill shift despite their qualifications arXiv. Public services remain strained, especially in housing and schooling, with cities like Berlin setting up emergency shelters and temporary facilities AP News. Notably, crime studies show that the influx has had minimal impact on violent crime overall, though small increases occurred in specific areas like fare evasion and petty theft Wikipedia.

Amid these developments, public sentiment has shifted. Initially supportive—66% in favor in 2015—attitudes have cooled. Support for migration has dropped, with only about 23% now viewing it as a positive opportunity The Times, while right-wing parties like AfD have gained traction by amplifying integration concerns The TimesWall Street JournalReuters.

One community’s journey—Altena, a fading industrial town—reflects the broader picture: it welcomed more refugees than required, aided their housing and integration, and even saw economic contributions. But many refugees moved on to larger cities, and persistent structural decline fueled political discontent and rising support for anti-immigration voices Reuters.

Today, Germany hosts a staggering 2.5 million refugees, including over one million Ukrainians, making it the EU’s top refugee-hosting nation UNHCR. The refugee legacy, thus, is mixed: a testament to social solidarity, economic necessity, and policy adaptation—but also a reminder of deepening divides and political tensions. Germany continues to balance its humanitarian ethos with growing demands for integration, security, and social cohesion.