A recent survey indicates limited public acceptance of potentially necessary reforms and austerity measures in Germany, even as a majority anticipates such changes will occur. Conducted by the Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach for the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, the study reveals a disconnect between recognition of systemic challenges and willingness to embrace solutions requiring personal sacrifice.
Only 23 percent of respondents considered raising the retirement age to be acceptable, while a mere 7 percent found a reduction in future pension benefits palatable.
Researchers highlighted a contrast between widespread acknowledgement of the need for fundamental changes to both the economy and social systems and the limited readiness to actually support those changes. The survey employed a two-pronged approach, first asking respondents to predict which future socio-economic developments they expected to materialize and then which of those developments they would deem acceptable given the challenges facing Germany.
A significant 84 percent anticipate an increase in the retirement age and 78 percent foresee future retirees receiving lower pensions compared to current beneficiaries. Clear majorities – ranging between 58 and 50 percent – also expect a decline in the quality of healthcare, reductions in state-funded services like cultural programs, limitations to social security provisions and an increase in weekly working hours.
However, when asked which of these anticipated developments they would accept, no single item garnered support from a significant minority. The most acceptable scenario, albeit still rejected by a substantial majority, was a reduction in state funding for certain areas, such as cultural programs, which 33 percent deemed acceptable. All other potential measures faced rejection by over 75 percent of respondents.
The survey, conducted between August 1st and 14th, 2025, included a representative sample of 1,051 individuals.
