Germany's Life Satisfaction Surges

Germany's Life Satisfaction Surges

zeit.de

Germany's Life Satisfaction Surges

Germany's life satisfaction has seen a significant rise, recovering from pandemic-era lows. Regional variations are significant, with Hamburg leading and several Eastern German states lagging.

German
Germany
EconomyGermany LifestyleSurveyLife SatisfactionSocial Well-Being
Universität FreiburgSüddeutsche KlassenlotterieInstitut Für Demoskopie AllensbachIpsos
Bernd Raffelhüschen
What methodologies were used in conducting this study?
The study, conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy and Ipsos, involved over 12,000 participants aged 16 and older. The surveys focused on overall life satisfaction and specific areas like work, income, family, and health.
How does the 2024 life satisfaction compare to pre-pandemic levels?
While the pre-pandemic high of 7.14 in 2019 wasn't quite matched, 2024 marks a significant recovery. The majority of the population seems to have overcome the challenges of 2020-2023, at least regarding their subjective life assessment.
What is the overall trend in life satisfaction in Germany according to the study?
Germany's life satisfaction has significantly increased, reaching the level of the 2010s with an average score of 7.06 out of 10. This is a 0.14 point increase compared to the previous year, suggesting a recovery from the challenges of recent years.
Which regions in Germany reported the highest and lowest levels of life satisfaction?
Hamburg recorded the highest life satisfaction score (7.38), followed by Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein (7.23). In contrast, Saarland (6.73), Berlin (6.63), and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (6.17) reported the lowest levels of satisfaction.
Which demographic groups experienced the most significant increase in life satisfaction?
The increase in life satisfaction is particularly noticeable among groups previously burdened by the pandemic, including single individuals, young adults, and working mothers. Improved economic conditions, such as collective bargaining agreements and reduced inflation, likely contributed to this rise.