Germany faces healthcare challenges amid potential Syrian exodus

The possible mass exodus of Syrians from Germany against the backdrop of the current situation in Syria may have a tangible impact on the country's healthcare system.

The consequences of such a development were named by the chairman of the German Hospital Support Society (DKG) Gerald Grass, Caliber.Az reports via German media.

“Many of them want to return to their homeland, they are urgently needed there. If they leave Germany en masse, it will undoubtedly affect the human resources sector,” he warned.

At the end of 2023, Syrian doctors made up the largest group of foreign medics in Germany - almost 6,000 specialists.

To note, about 1.3 million people with Syrian roots live in Germany, the vast majority of whom arrived in 2015 and 2016 when then-Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed refugees fleeing Syria’s devastating war.

According to Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Syria was the top country of origin for asylum seekers in Germany this year, with 72,420 asylum applications submitted by the end of November. Some 47,270 asylum applications from Syrians remain undecided.

Less than 48 hours after the toppling of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Germany, home to the largest Syrian population outside the Middle East, said it would freeze asylum processing for Syrian citizens in light of the unclear and unpredictable political situation in Syria.