Educational Choices of Second-Generation Migrants and their Socioeconomic Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis of Germany and other European Countries

The thesis discusses the educational pathways and subsequent socioeconomic outcomes of second-generation migrants in Germany, comparing the situation with that of peer countries such as France and the Netherlands, while exploring the specific challenges they face. The study reveals significant disparities in educational attainment and subsequent employment, making a comparison between the children of immigrants and native citizens, which can be attributed to systemic barriers in educational and labor market systems. A concerning trend highlighted by current statistics is that, while second-generation migrants exhibit improved educational performance compared to their parents, they still lag behind native Germans, particularly in higher education attainment and employment security. The aim of this study is to identify key factors affecting these outcomes and to propose best practices for policy interventions based on a comparative analysis with selected European countries, primarily the Netherlands and France.