Germany’s international research outputs are impressive, but it falls short when it comes to foreign doctoral students. In fact, it ranks 24th in terms of foreign doctoral students in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2021. Germany’s percentage of foreign doctoral students is the lowest among its peers, and it falls far below the EU27 average. However, Germany still manages to rank third in terms of international academics and researchers at its universities, following the USA and the UK, respectively. Since 2007, the number of international research associates at German universities has been on the rise. Italy, China, India, Switzerland, and Austria are the key countries of origin for international academics and researchers in Germany.
Despite the impressive numbers, there are still some concerns with regards to German academics and researchers. For instance, those who live abroad tend to be mostly employed in Switzerland, the UK, and Austria. Young academics and researchers, on the other hand, tend to flock to the USA, the UK, and France. While these countries may offer more opportunities for research and development, it is important to keep in mind that Germany has a lot to offer as well. With its strong research institutions and universities, Germany has the potential to attract more foreign doctoral students and retain its talented researchers and academics.