Disadvantaged yet optimistic: Migrants’ paradoxical perceptions of meritocracy and equality of opportunity

While the structural disadvantage and discrimination migrants face are well-documented, migrants’ perceptions of meritocracy and equality of opportunity remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap using a mixed-methods approach, combining data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), the European Social Survey (ESS), and in-depth qualitative interviews and group discussions (N = 47). Quantitative results indicate that first-generation migrants are significantly more likely than non-migrants to think German society is meritocratic and offers equal opportunities. In turn, they are more likely to tolerate large inequalities. Qualitative analysis reveals that this optimism stems from favorable comparisons with their countries of origin. This paper argues that migrant optimism, previously associated with educational expectations, extends beyond individual-level perceptions to encompass perceptions of society at large. While prior research has emphasized the motivational benefits of migrant optimism, this study highlights how it can lead migrants to legitimize inequalities, revealing more ambivalent political consequences.