Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, one of Germany’s leading newspapers, published an interview with Christian Dustmann following the publication of the CReAM at RFBerlin report “Migration Aspirations, Diaspora Networks and Refugee Destinations from Iran and Lebanon”.
In the interview Dustmann elaborates on the report’s key findings, discussing the role of diaspora networks in shaping migration patterns and reflects on the implications for Europe. The CReAM report reveals a striking alignment between migration aspirations and existing settlement patterns. With 29% of Iranian refugees already residing in Germany, as well as 34% of Lebanese, Germany is the most likely destination for future refugees from both countries. Dustmann highlights that this is largely driven by established diaspora networks, which reduce the costs and risks of migration.
He further notes that while distant destinations such as Canada and the USA are popular among higher-educated potential migrants, European countries, and Germany in particular, dominate among those with lower levels of education. Dustmann concludes that “it is in Europe’s interest that these conflicts in Iran and Lebanon do not escalate further and that populations see a future in the country they are currently in”, as large-scale refugee movements would place significant additional pressure on social systems across the continent.
