Wars and natural disasters, hunger and disease, economic and financial crises: There are a lot of topics that can spread fear and terror. But what worries German citizens the most when they think about the next ten to twenty years?
At the top of the list is the question of pension security. More than half of the population (55%) fear that they will not have sufficient financial resources available in old age. Women and employees approaching retirement express this concern with above-average frequency. Fear of terrorist attacks and crime also remains high.
However, concern has fallen in all three areas compared to the previous year: in 2007, almost two thirds were still sceptical about the future level of pensions and just under half of Germans feared for their own security. Developments on the labour market are also viewed much less critically. In 2007, more than twice as many people as today cited unemployment and a lack of training places as problems for the future. There were also fewer concerns about healthcare and long-term care insurance, price increases, the risk of debt and the decline in the birth rate.
On the other hand, challenges facing society as a whole have increased slightly, such as the "division of society" - which remains one of the biggest concerns - and climate change. The environment is viewed with particular concern by older Germans (60+ years: 60%), whereas the middle generation is less critical (30-50 years: 44%).
The greatest increase in concern was recorded in the areas of "disenchantment with politics", "influence of the media" and the "spread of epidemics and epidemics". It was to be expected that fear of infection would rise significantly in times of a global epidemic. More worrying, however, is the increasing scepticism towards the two institutions of politics and the media.
Discussions about fake news, alternative facts and mass media as well as the increasing influence of social media have left their mark. More and more citizens are concerned about the influence of the media on their own opinion-forming and the influence of social networks on the younger generation. To prevent a further decline in trust in the fourth estate, economic pressure and the tendency to prioritise speed over solid research must not increase any further. Instead, transparency and (even) more dialogue are required. At the same time, however, media literacy must be given a much higher priority in all areas of life, because as early as 1985, futurologist Naisbit predicted that we would simultaneously starve for knowledge and drown in information.
Outlook
If we look at the various fears about the future as a whole, three overarching categories emerge. The first comprises the material level, i.e. the worry of not having enough financial resources to live a carefree life. The second can be described as fear for one's own well-being. This concerns both basic health and general physical integrity. Finally, the third group includes concerns about society as a whole, ranging from increasing social division to climate change.
Some striking differences can be identified within the population. Firstly, women are more pessimistic in fifteen out of nineteen problem areas. Secondly, a comparison of age groups shows that concerns increase with age. Thirteen out of nineteen categories are cited by people over 60. The middle generation aged between 40 and 60 only expresses an above-average number of concerns in the material areas of unemployment, debt risk, price increases, loss of prosperity and the overall social challenges of the "influence of the media" and "education crisis". The generation under 40 is much more hopeful and expresses confidence in all areas.
One thing is clear: The oft-cited "German Angst" and "typical German pessimism" persist. This is despite the fact that, objectively at least, Germany is in a better economic position than almost every other country. The numerous negative reports from the media, politics and business, which predict savings and cost pressure, more personal responsibility and major changes (e.g. rising retirement age with falling pension levels or more job insecurity due to digital developments), undoubtedly have an influence.
But there are also positive developments. The younger generation is much more confident about the future. More than anyone else, they want to play an active role in shaping it and not simply surrender to it. They are well aware that some things will be different in the future than they are today, but see the upcoming changes more as an opportunity than a risk.
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