A recent nationwide survey conducted by the opinion research institute INSA on behalf of T-Online reveals a predominantly negative perception of the current social climate among German citizens. The poll indicates that 69 percent of respondents view the overall sentiment as either very negative or somewhat negative, while only 25 percent express a positive assessment.
This trend is broadly consistent across the voter base of all political parties. While perceptions vary, those affiliated with the conservative union (CDU/CSU) tend to have a slightly more positive outlook, with 57 percent describing the mood as negative, compared to 40 percent who see it positively. Conversely, supporters of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) report the most negative sentiment, with a significant 84 percent indicating a negative perception.
Significant disparities emerge when examining the data across different socioeconomic strata. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds demonstrate the least optimism, with just 13 percent holding a positive view of the national mood. This proportion increases to just over 20 percent within the “middle class” and rises even further to just over 50 percent among those classified as belonging to the “upper class.
The overall negative perception correlates inversely with socioeconomic status. More than 44 percent of those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds consider the national mood to be negative. This figure surpasses 75 percent within the two lower socioeconomic groups.
Regional differences are also apparent. In eastern Germany, 75 percent of respondents characterized the overall sentiment as very negative or somewhat negative, a figure six percentage points higher than in western Germany (69 percent). Furthermore, a gender divide is observed, with nearly 29 percent of men expressing a positive sentiment compared to just over 20 percent of women.
