Germany Sees Sharp Rise in Racist Discrimination Complaints, Tripling Since 2019
According to a recent article on Anadolu Agency, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency reported a record 11,405 complaints in 2024, the highest since its establishment. Of these, 3,858 involved racism, antisemitism, or ethnic origin, up from 1,167 in 2019, highlighting a growing racism problem in Germany, said commissioner Ferda Ataman.
The report reveals discrimination spans many areas, including over 3,000 cases related to employment, as well as incidents in public institutions, schools, healthcare, housing, and even police and judiciary systems. Disability-based discrimination ranked second with 2,476 complaints, followed by gender (2,133), age (1,091), and religion or worldview (626).
Ataman emphasized that 43% of the 9,057 complaints under Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) concerned racism or ethnic origin. However, more than 2,300 cases, many involving state institutions, fall outside the AGG’s scope. She criticized current protections, noting people are better shielded from discrimination in restaurants than in government offices, calling for the law’s expansion to cover schools, police, and courts.
The commissioner attributed the rise partly to increased awareness but warned reported cases represent only “the tip of the iceberg.” She urged lawmakers to strengthen anti-discrimination laws and ensure consequences for discriminatory acts, stressing the need to confront far-right extremism decisively.
