Despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, only a small fraction of Syrian refugees in Germany have chosen to return home. New data shows that just 4,000 of the approximately one million Syrians living in Germany had returned by June 2025.
These figures contrast starkly with the broader global trend that has seen about 600,000 Syrians return, primarily from neighboring countries like Turkey and Lebanon, with projections suggesting this number could reach 2.5 million by late 2026.
A study by Germany’s Institute for Employment Research (IAB) found that 66% of Syrians in Germany plan to stay permanently. One of the primary reasons given for staying is the social system of Germany that allows generous benefits and grants for immigrants.
Recent polling shows Germans are not happy with the situation: 52% support returning poorly integrated Syrians, 25% believe all Syrians should be encouraged to repatriate, while only 17% express reservations or opposition to current return policies.
