Result
Long-term relationships are an important goal for many people - at the same time, their importance is increasingly being questioned. Only 15 per cent of German citizens say that the courage to form lasting relationships is a key characteristic for the future.
It is striking that younger people rate the topic slightly higher (17 %) than older people (13 %). Men also consider the topic to be more relevant than women. There are also regional differences - city dwellers in particular consider stable relationships to be more desirable than people from rural areas.
This reflects a social trend: relationships are no longer seen as a matter of course, but as a conscious decision - with all its opportunities and challenges.
Reasons
Expectations of relationships have changed. Instead of security and care, the focus today is on emotional closeness, self-realisation and joint development. Anyone who commits to a long-term relationship today does so out of conviction rather than social pressure.
At the same time, the environment has changed. The fast pace of life, mobile lifestyles and digital communication mean that encounters are becoming more diverse - but also more fleeting. As a result, many people have a growing need for stability. But if you want to engage with others, you need patience, trust and a willingness to compromise.
Especially in cities, where relationships are often under time pressure and social contacts are changeable, the longing for reliability is growing. In the countryside, on the other hand, where established structures are more often preserved, commitment is less often perceived as "courage" - it is simply lived.
Forecast
The desire for closeness, reliability and belonging will continue to exist in the future - but it will take on new forms. In addition to the traditional couple relationship, alternative models will gain in importance: close friendships, communal forms or intergenerational living concepts.
Lasting relationships are determined less by an external framework than by an inner attitude. Those who take responsibility, listen, show consideration and endure conflict will be able to shape relationships - whether private or professional.
Commitment is not a question of circumstances, but of will. In a world that is constantly changing, the courage to engage with others can become one of the most important skills in the coming years.
The courage to commit: Do we need more consistency?
Chart of the week, 2025-KW16
- April 2025
[Bild: Zwei Personen sitzen auf einer Felskante und blicken in eine weite Schlucht mit Bergen im Hintergrund.]
Mut zu Beziehungen
Von je 100 Befragten sagen, dass Mut zu dauerhaften Beziehungen eine wichtige Eigenschaft ist, um in Zukunft ihr Leben sinnerfüllt und erfolgreich gestalten zu können:
Balkendiagramm: Anteil der Befragten, die Mut zu dauerhaften Beziehungen als wichtige Eigenschaft ansehen
| Kategorie | Wert (%) | |:----------|:---------| | Gesamt | 15 | | 18-34 Jahre | 17 | | 35-54 Jahre | 16 | | 55-74 Jahre | 13 | | Mann | 16 | | Frau | 14 |
Online Repräsentativbefragung von 2.000 Personen ab 18 Jahren durch die GfK in Deutschland
Result
Langfristige Beziehungen sind für viele Menschen ein wichtiges Ziel – gleichzeitig wird ihre Bedeutung zunehmend hinterfragt. Lediglich 15 Prozent der Bundesbürger sagen, dass der Mut zu dauerhaften Bindungen eine zentrale Eigenschaft für die Zukunft sei.
Auffällig: Jüngere Menschen bewerten das Thema etwas höher (17%) als Ältere (13%). Auch Männer sprechen dem Thema mehr Relevanz zu als Frauen. Unterschiede zeigen sich zudem regional – insbesondere Großstädter halten feste Beziehungen für erstrebenswerter als Bürger aus ländlichen Regionen.
This reflects a social trend: relationships are no longer seen as a matter of course, but as a conscious decision - with all its opportunities and challenges.
Reasons
Expectations of relationships have changed. Instead of security and care, the focus today is on emotional closeness, self-realisation and joint development. Anyone who commits to a long-term relationship today does so out of conviction rather than social pressure.
At the same time, the environment has changed. The fast pace of life, mobile lifestyles and digital communication mean that encounters are becoming more diverse - but also more fleeting. As a result, many people have a growing need for stability. But if you want to engage with others, you need patience, trust and a willingness to compromise.
Especially in cities, where relationships are often under time pressure and social contacts are changeable, the longing for reliability is growing. In the countryside, on the other hand, where established structures are more often preserved, commitment is less often perceived as "courage" - it is simply lived.
Forecast
The desire for closeness, reliability and belonging will continue to exist in the future - but it will take on new forms. In addition to the traditional couple relationship, alternative models will gain in importance: close friendships, communal forms or intergenerational living concepts.
Lasting relationships are determined less by an external framework than by an inner attitude. Those who take responsibility, listen, show consideration and endure conflict will be able to shape relationships - whether private or professional.
Commitment is not a question of circumstances, but of will. In a world that is constantly changing, the courage to engage with others can become one of the most important skills in the coming years.
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