Ethnic diversity and segregation in German cities

Abstract

Abstract Based on geocoded data, we analyze the level and (co)variation of ethnic diversity and ethnic segregation across large cities in Germany. Overall, our results indicate that the level of ethnic segregation is relatively low in German cities. However, it differs across migrant groups and skill levels. Moreover, there is considerable variation in both segregation and diversity across cities, which shows some specific patterns. East German cities are characterized by a low population share of foreign workers and high diversity among migrants that coincide with an above-average degree of segregation. The largest West German cities tend to show a diverse population structure, which is accompanied by low segregation levels. This trend also applies to the main college towns in West Germany. In contrast, cities in the old industrialized Ruhr area are characterized by above-average segregation levels, which goes hand-in-hand with relatively low diversity. Altogether, we detect a negative correlation between ethnic diversity and segregation. The significant differences in diversity and segregation across urban areas might be the result of distinct migration histories of the cities and a pronounced persistence of the resulting spatial patterns.