Spain has seen remarkable economic growth in recent years thanks to its open immigration policies. The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 3.2% in 2024, and much of this growth is due to the contribution of its immigrant workforce. Immigrants, particularly from Latin America and Africa, played a significant role in the labor market, filling approximately 409,000 of the 468,000 new jobs created. This contributed to the unemployment rate falling to its lowest level since 2008.

Spain’s approach holds important lessons for other European countries struggling with aging populations and low birth rates. Integrating immigrants into the economy not only closes the labor gap, but also contributes to the sustainability of social security systems. The example of Spain shows that well-managed immigration policies can boost economic growth.

In contrast, anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric are on the rise in some developed countries, such as Germany. While support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is growing in Germany, this is making it harder for immigrants to integrate into the country and has negative impacts on the labor market. Experts warn that such policies could negatively impact economic growth and deepen the labor shortage in the long term.

While Spain’s inclusive and open policies towards immigrants play an important role in economic growth and employment growth, adopting anti-immigrant policies can lead to economic stagnation and labor shortages in the long run. Therefore, it would be beneficial for Germany and other developed countries to reassess their immigration policies and adopt more inclusive and integration-supporting approaches, both economically and socially.