Climate change, war and pandemic - a divided population?

Result

Climate change, pandemic, war – many citizens feel they are living in a perpetual crisis. Nearly two-thirds of all Germans feel stressed due to the uncertain future. There are hardly any differences between the various population groups – women feel similarly stressed as men, and younger people as much as older people. Regarding the hardships caused by the pandemic, citizens are not only suffering from the health risks: almost half complain about restrictions in their daily lives and leisure activities. Likewise, for almost one in three, the fear of infection is leading to changes in their leisure activities.

Reasons

Climate change, wars, and the pandemic represent both indirect and direct changes to everyday life for German citizens, which many associate with uncertainty, withdrawal, and stress. There are gradations in these perceptions. Climate change is seen as an urgent, global problem that does not (yet) affect everyday life. In contrast, armed conflicts are perceived as more burdensome the closer the geographical border is to them, the more frequently they are reported in the media, and the greater the individual restrictions associated with them.

The pandemic has a particularly significant impact on individual well-being, as it is associated with direct restrictions and changes. Due to external factors (e.g., new regulations, prohibitions, reduced leisure activities, or increased financial costs) and internal motives (e.g., fear of infection), approximately one-third of the population is experiencing a modification in their leisure activities and a re-evaluation of their priorities.

Forecast

Despite concerns about the supposedly uncertain future, a third of the population does not find the current challenges and crises burdensome or has found ways to cope with them. In the future, the majority of German citizens will follow this example in order to be able to lead (or continue to lead) a carefree and active leisure life.

You can find more information on this topic at Current research: Challenges of the present and future are a burden for many citizens