Integration of immigrants in Germany: Much has been accomplished but problems remain

Integration Report: While the integration of people with a migrant background is improving, violent youth remain a problem. This could soon spark political controversy. Few topics in Germany spark as many heated debates as integration.

How successful have efforts been to integrate new arrivals? What is needed to enable successful integration? And what are the biggest problems?

Every two years, the government's Commissioner for Integration presents a comprehensive set of statistics on the matter. Since last year, that role has been held by Natalie Pawlik, a parliamentary representative from the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD). Speaking in Berlin on Wednesday, Pawlik offered an overall positive assessment: "Integration is improving steadily, despite ongoing hurdles and challenges." She continued: "The people of our country want integration to succeed.