Study on greatest fears: Germans worry more about money than the climate

epd | According to a survey, concern about rising living costs is currently the biggest fear among Germans. 59 percent of those surveyed, significantly more than in the previous year, share this fear, as shown in the study “The Fears of Germans 2026” presented on Thursday in Berlin on behalf of R+V Insurance. In the 35 years the survey has been conducted, no other fear has ranked first as often, 16 times.

People are further worried about possible tax increases (53 percent), the state being overwhelmed by refugees (52 percent), a worse economic situation (51 percent) and expensive housing (50 percent). Concerns about a worsening economic situation in particular have jumped by 10 percentage points compared to the previous year.

This is a kind of early warning system that marks a “collective loss of confidence in the country’s economic future,” explained Marburg political scientist Isabelle Borucki.

Fear of climate change and its effects such as natural disasters have decreased. 30 percent of those surveyed were afraid of climate change (20th place). Compared to the previous year, this was 7 percentage points less. “In view of the seemingly unstoppable changes, the feeling of fear is apparently being overshadowed by resignation,” explained Borucki.

According to the information, the representative survey has taken place annually since 1992. Around 2,400 people aged 14 and over are asked in personal interviews about their concerns about politics, the economy, society, the environment and health.