A comprehensive survey reveals widespread public dissatisfaction with Germany’s preparedness for the future, with a strong demand for significant reforms across multiple sectors. Only one percent of respondents believe Germany is adequately equipped to meet upcoming challenges, according to the study commissioned by RTL and ntv and conducted by the Forsa Institute between August 22nd and 25th, surveying 1,006 employed individuals.
A substantial 82 percent believe fundamental changes are necessary in the economy, government and society, while 17 percent feel smaller adjustments would suffice. This sentiment is consistent across demographic groups, including those in both eastern and western Germany, all age brackets and voters across the political spectrum. Notably, 98 percent of supporters of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) advocate for fundamental reform, a view shared by a majority of voters from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Green Party, the Left Party and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) / Christian Social Union (CSU).
Regarding social security systems, there’s a clear call for reform, particularly in light of demographic changes and rising costs. An overwhelming 86 percent of those surveyed support streamlining bureaucracy within the healthcare system through digitization or consolidation of health insurance funds. Over half (51 percent) favor abolishing private health insurance, a sentiment strongest among younger respondents and supporters of the SPD, Greens and Left.
While a stronger financial contribution from higher earners through increased health insurance contributions receives support from 39 percent, especially those under 30, proposals like increased patient co-pays (12 percent), benefit cuts (9 percent), or across-the-board contribution increases (6 percent) are largely rejected.
A unified pension system is seen as beneficial by 77 percent. Broad support also exists for expanding the contributor base through improved labor market integration (68 percent) and encouraging private and employer-sponsored retirement plans (52 percent). Additional government subsidies receive less backing (30 percent), while measures like raising the retirement age (15 percent), increasing contributions (5 percent), or reducing benefits (3 percent) gain minimal support.
Although views differ between political affiliations, the desire for reform is consistent. CDU/CSU supporters are more likely to favor raising the retirement age (32 percent), while AfD and Left voters overwhelmingly reject this. Encouraging private retirement savings is popular among SPD, Green and Left voters but receives less support from AfD supporters. Younger respondents generally express greater openness to new models while resisting drastic cuts or age limitations.
A majority of citizens (70 percent) advocate for stricter requirements for accessing citizen’s income, with almost half (48 percent) favoring a significant reduction or even the complete abolition of the program in its current form. Support is highest among those over 45, while those under 30 largely oppose these suggestions.
While proposals to tighten requirements for housing benefits (43 percent) and lower the income threshold for parental allowance (38 percent) receive moderate support, substantial cuts to these programs (10 percent and 18 percent respectively) are widely rejected, particularly by younger demographics.
The survey reveals widespread skepticism that the current coalition government composed of the CDU/CSU and SPD is prepared to implement fundamental reforms to the social security system. Only 13 percent believe the coalition will deliver significant changes, while 78 percent doubt its commitment. This skepticism is especially pronounced among Green (88 percent rejection), Left (85 percent) and AfD (92 percent) voters, but also extends to a majority of CDU/CSU (54 percent) and SPD (71 percent) supporters.
Regarding the financing of future state investments in areas like education, infrastructure and digitalization, Germans overwhelmingly prioritize fiscal discipline. 65 percent advocate for funding investments through savings in other areas, while only 16 percent support taking on additional debt, 11 percent favor higher taxes and levies and stronger support for savings is evident within the CDU/CSU and AfD camps (both 80 percent), while supporters of the SPD, Greens and Left are more open to debt financing or tax increases.
Germans largely reject broad-based tax increases to finance reforms, instead favoring targeted measures. A majority support higher taxes on high earners (59 percent) and significant wealth (57 percent), with 41 percent backing a stronger inheritance tax. However, broad-based tax increases like those on value-added tax (17 percent) or income tax for middle earners (12 percent) are clearly opposed. The reintroduction of a wealth tax has support from 37 percent of respondents, with strong support coming from the SPD, Greens and Left, while CDU/CSU and AfD supporters remain largely skeptical.