Germany’s enduring attachment to traditional communication methods continues to dominate the landscape of New Year’s greetings, a recently released survey by the Bitkom IT industry association reveals. The widespread preference for phone calls-cited by a resounding 87% of respondents-highlights a potential disconnect between rapidly evolving digital trends and established cultural practices within the nation.
While messaging services maintain a significant presence, garnering support from over half (59%) of those polled, the dominance of the telephone call underscores a lingering reluctance to fully embrace newer, digitally-mediated forms of connection. Social media platforms follow at a distant third with 45% favorability, closely mirroring the popularity of video calls (44%).
The survey, which questioned 1,002 German citizens aged 16 and older between the 41st and 46th weeks of 2025, indirectly raises questions about generational divides in communication preferences and the potential for digital exclusion amongst older demographics. The comparatively low adoption of methods like SMS (6%), collaboration tools (3%) and even recorded video messages (23%) suggests a reluctance to embrace more complex digital platforms, possibly due to technological barriers or a preference for the perceived personal touch of a direct phone call.
Furthermore, the continued use of traditional postal cards or letters (16%) suggests a desire for tangible, physical expressions of goodwill – a practice increasingly rare in a digitally saturated world. This steadfast adherence to older forms of communication also warrants further examination in the context of Germany’s broader digital integration strategy, particularly regarding ensuring accessibility and inclusivity across all age groups. The fact that only 2% intend to forgo New Year’s greetings entirely reinforces the importance of these interactions within German social and cultural fabric, emphasizing the role of communication in maintaining community bonds.
