A significant majority of Germans express concern over the rising cost of living, according to a recent study released in Berlin. The “Anxieties of Germans 2025” report, compiled by the R+V Insurance Info Center, reveals that 52 percent of respondents believe living expenses will continue to increase.
The study, which consistently ranks concerns among the German-speaking population, highlights that nearly half (49 percent) also fear that the influx of refugees may overwhelm the state. While this concern has decreased from 56 percent in 2024, it remains a prominent worry.
Financial anxieties dominate this year’s findings. Following concerns about the cost of living, worries about potential tax increases or cuts to social services rank third (49 percent), closely followed by the fear of unaffordable housing (48 percent).
Despite ongoing global crises and uncertainties, the study indicates a general decrease in anxieties compared to previous years. The Anxiety Index, which represents the average value of all measured anxieties, has dropped significantly to 37 percent, down from 42 percent in 2024. This figure mirrors the 36 percent recorded in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report also addresses international political concerns. Fears surrounding the potential impact of former US President Donald Trump’s policies on global safety have subsided, with only 45 percent of respondents now expressing this worry. Study director Grischa Brower-Rabinowitsch noted this represents a considerable decrease compared to Trump’s first term, when the level of concern peaked at 69 percent in 2018. Concerns about the rise of authoritarian leaders worldwide rank higher, affecting 47 percent of those surveyed.
The R+V Insurance Info Center has conducted this annual survey since 1992, consistently polling approximately 2,400 men and women aged 14 and older from the German-speaking population to gauge their anxieties related to political, economic, social and environmental issues. This year’s survey was conducted between May 12th and July 22nd.