What is the Expats & Spouses Monitor?
It is a research project that aims to understand the living and working conditions of expatriates and their spouses or partners in Germany.
The Expats & Spouses Monitor collects comprehensive information useful for companies, organisations working with expatriates, policymakers, and academics. Our motivation is to generate insights that help stakeholders to implement policies that improve the integration of international talent.
Nowadays, when the conversation revolves around talent shortage and the search for diversity, relying on comprehensive information about expats and their partners offers companies the unique opportunity to make the most of talented people already living in Germany.
Who is an “expat”?
With the word “expat” we mean a foreign citizen legally established in Germany. We do not only focus on
foreign employees relocated by their company, but also on self-initiated expatriates who
have moved to Germany for a different reason than a corporate assignment.
We also include the expatriates’ partners, the so-called “trailing spouses”. In comparison to expats, there
is little information about them, despite the key role they play in career- and family-related decisions.
Expats’ partners face particular challenges that are worth exploring separately.
What areas of information do we collect?
Our survey was designed following a thorough process that ensured high standards of the information collected. If you want to know more about our questionnaire and our methodological process, click here.
We have gathered information about the following areas:
Work and Occupational Situation
Personal and Family Life
Career and Career Development
Opinion about Germany and their city
Social Life and Integration
Demographics