Between 1945 and 1961, around three million East Germans fled to West Germany, driven by political repression and economic stagnation. Among them were skilled professionals, including inventors and scientists, whose migration and contributions to innovation are the focus of this study.
The study, “Migration and Innovation: The Impact of East German Inventors on West Germany’s Technological Development”, by Max Deter and co-authors Antonin Bergeaud, Maria Greve, and Michael Wyrwich, examines how migration influences innovation.
The study analyzes over 700,000 patents and introduces an innovative method to identify migration patterns: surname proximity. This approach uses last names as indicators of cultural roots and family ties, linking East German inventors to specific West German regions. Historical sources confirm that family and community connections were key drivers of migration decisions during this period. By showing that surnames were unevenly distributed across regions, the researchers created a robust tool for analyzing migration's impact.
The findings reveal that regions with higher inflows of East German inventors experienced a significant and lasting boost in patenting activity, particularly in advanced fields like chemistry, physics, and electricity. A 1% increase in migrant inventors per 100,000 inhabitants led to a 9% rise in patenting activity, with these effects persisting for nearly two decades. This underscores the transformative potential of skilled migration to drive regional innovation and economic growth.
The study highlights how cultural and social networks shaped migration and its outcomes. Family and community ties influenced where inventors relocated and how well they integrated into new regions, further amplifying the benefits of migration.
The findings carry significant implications for policymakers. High-skilled migration is a powerful driver of local innovation and economic development. To harness these benefits, regions must focus on attracting and retaining.
Policymakers can also leverage cultural and historical ties to attract skilled professionals and enhance regional innovation. Strengthening these networks can create thriving knowledge economies that benefit from sustained technological advancement.
By connecting historical data to today’s challenges, the study highlights the importance of inclusive and well-supported pathways for talent mobility. Migration, when effectively managed, can be a key driver of economic and technological progress, offering valuable lessons for regions worldwide.
Full paper: https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-hsog/frontdoor/deliver/index/docId/5685/file/BSoE_DP_0059.pdf
About the authors
Antonin Bergeaud
Associate professor in the Economic Department of HEC Paris and a research affiliate with CEP-LSE, at the Innovation Lab at Collège de France and CEPR.
Max Deter
Economist at the University of Potsdam. His research interests are Political Economy, Regional Economics, Economic History, and Labor Economics.
Maria Greve
Assistant Professor of Law, Economics and Governance at the Utrecht University School of Economics. Her research interests evolve around transformation processes in former socialist countries, entrepreneurship, innovation and growth, regional development, business dynamics, and policy assessment.
Michael Wyrwich
Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business. His research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional development.