Concerns Persist over Persistently High Prices among Germans
In a recent survey conducted by R+V insurance company, financial and political concerns have emerged as the top fears for Germans in 2025. The survey, involving approximately 2,400 people aged 14 and over, revealed that the fear of rising living costs, including food and rent, is the biggest concern for Germans this year, with 52% of people expressing worry. The fear of housing in Germany becoming unaffordable is the fourth biggest concern, with 48% of respondents expressing worry.
The fear of tax increases or cuts in services is the third biggest concern, with 49% of participants expressing worry. Interestingly, concerns related to migration have significantly decreased this year, with only 49% of respondents expressing fear of the state being overwhelmed by refugees (down from 56% in 2024).
Political scientist Isabelle Borucki, who analysed the survey results, noted that the fear of rising living costs is particularly persistent because it affects people's daily lives deeply. She also mentioned that women are more worried about rising living costs than men, with 57% of women and 47% of men expressing concern.
Borucki suggested that a uniform message is not enough for politics and that a nuanced approach must be taken for each region. She pointed out that concerns about migration in Eastern Germany have not decreased as much as in Western Germany. Regions in eastern Germany and urban areas with higher proportions of migrants, such as some districts in Hamburg, have shown less decline in concern about migration and integration compared to other regions in Germany in recent years.
Compared to last year, the level of concern has decreased slightly for all fears, except for two: the fear of a war involving Germany and the fear that authoritarian rulers worldwide are becoming more powerful. The fear of a war involving Germany has remained at the same level as last year, while the fear that authoritarian rulers worldwide are becoming more powerful has increased slightly compared to last year.
Borucki also highlighted that the survey results reflect the greatest fears, which are those that most frequently receive values of 5 to 7 on the given scale. She concluded that a nuanced approach is needed in addressing these concerns, taking into account regional differences and demographic factors such as gender.
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