From skilled trades to nursing – many sectors are experiencing a shortage of workers. But how do German citizens perceive this skills shortage? And what are some viable ways to alleviate it?

What does career mean today? For many people, it's no longer what it used to be. Traditional ideas are losing their relevance: only one in four now associates career with achieving professional goals – in 2008, it was almost one in two.

Fewer and fewer employees in Germany are able to achieve their professional and personal goals. The compatibility of work and family life, job satisfaction, and personal recognition have declined significantly over the past ten years. Reasons for this include the increasing demands of the working world, job insecurity, and a lack of autonomy. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging through flexible work arrangements and a cultural shift within companies. Whether these opportunities translate into greater job satisfaction remains to be seen in the coming years.

Of all social networks, one's own family is the most stable. Not only does it play an important role for the individual, shaping and protecting them, but it also plays a central role in social cohesion. Within the population, eight out of ten people rely on their own family even in times of crisis, with the over 55s expressing significantly above-average approval. 

The media will continue to play a central role in democracy and social cohesion. Their function as the fourth estate remains indispensable for ensuring transparency and uncovering abuses. This watchdog function will remain crucial for strengthening citizens' trust in institutions and safeguarding the integrity of democratic processes.

In recent years, public debate has often been characterised by a loss of trust in institutions such as political parties, academia and the media. Various causes and developments have contributed to this development, e.g. political polarisation, populist movements, a lack of transparency, poor crisis management, misleading communication or even disinformation. Despite all these mistakes and criticism, trust in institutions remains essential for the majority of citizens in order to live together safely.

Open and honest communication is considered essential by the vast majority of German citizens for strengthening trust within society. This trust forms the basis for a stable and fair coexistence, both in interpersonal relationships and in the relationship between citizens and institutions.

Trust is an essential basis for social coexistence. Currently, a small majority of the population trusts most of their fellow citizens. At 60 per cent, the proportion of people under the age of 35 is higher than that of older generations, of whom only around one in two express trust in their fellow citizens. A look at the development over the years shows a changing dynamic. In 2000, the proportion was just 36 per cent and rose steadily to a high of 60 per cent by 2019. This was followed by a decline to 45 per cent in 2022, before the figure recovered to its current level of 54 per cent.

Respect, justice and freedom are among the core values of German society. These three principles embody the population's desire for harmonious, fair and self-determined coexistence.

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.