New Study Indicates Surge in Xenophobic and Anti-Muslim Sentiment in Germany

A recent study from Leipzig University highlights a significant rise in xenophobic and anti-Muslim sentiment in Germany, Middle East Monitor reported yesterday.

Conducted by Prof. Dr. Oliver Decker and Prof. Dr. Ayline Heller, the study found a 4.8 percentage point increase in xenophobic views since 2022, now affecting 21.8% of the population.

Western Germany, previously seen as more accepting, experienced a 6.7-point rise, with 19.3% supporting xenophobic ideologies. In contrast, eastern states reported a higher support level of approximately 31.5%.

Anti-Muslim sentiment is notably alarming, with 32.8% of western residents favoring a ban on Muslim immigration, up from 23.6% in 2022. Additionally, over 48% of respondents expressed feeling like “strangers in their own country” due to the Muslim presence, a rise from 36.6% two years ago.

The study also revealed a sharp decline in satisfaction with German democracy, dropping 15.4 points to 42.3% nationwide, with only 29.7% satisfaction in eastern states. Political affiliations correlate strongly with these views, particularly among supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, where 60.5% expressed xenophobic sentiments.