Caring for relatives often goes unnoticed, but is increasingly becoming a pillar of our social system. Almost one in five Germans now regularly performs care work – often unpaid and alongside their job. In light of demographic change, the urgent question arises as to how this service can be recognized and supported through new models in the future.
German citizens are increasingly skeptical of their willingness to take civic initiative. Currently, only 28 percent agree with the statement that many people are prepared to take action themselves instead of leaving problems to the state. Compared to 2009, when 40 percent held this view, this is a significant decline. This reveals a striking discrepancy between how others perceive and how people assess themselves.
More and more people are getting involved in everyday life, whether in their private lives or for social causes. Younger people prefer flexible, project-based forms of engagement, while older people value reliability and experience. Obstacles such as time constraints or a lack of recognition remain – but targeted initiatives can make a big difference. What counts is not the size of the commitment, but the willingness to take on responsibility.
The population demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility: 9 out of 10 citizens take responsibility for their actions. Taking responsibility is increasingly seen as a driving force for progress and shaping the future. This attitude is particularly valuable in professional life, as mistakes can be viewed as learning opportunities. The combination of the experience of older generations and the innovative spirit of younger generations offers great potential.
Responsibility is more than a duty – it's an attitude that sustains our society. The overwhelming majority of citizens consider a willingness to take responsibility to be of central importance. It turns out that the older a person is, the more readily they associate responsibility with stability, shaping the future, and community. Younger people, on the other hand, sometimes struggle to perceive themselves as both effective and responsible. What we need is a new understanding of responsibility – one that enables personal initiative and participation without being overwhelming.
Digital competence is considered by almost one in three Germans to be a key prerequisite for a meaningful and successful life. However, educational background and personal experience significantly influence this assessment. Why digital sovereignty is becoming the new foundation for social participation – and what will be important in the future.
What used to start in the shop window is now happening in the background: advertising, consumption and purchasing behaviour are being changed by AI - often without us even noticing. More and more people expect bricks-and-mortar retail to disappear. At the same time, they are experiencing how personalised recommendations and automated processes are shaping everyday life. How much control do we want to retain and how consciously will we shop tomorrow?
Surveillance, security, control – these are issues that increasingly shape the everyday lives of many people. Yet, despite digital innovations and new threats, the desire for personal freedom remains strong. Citizens expect protection without sacrificing their self-determination. How security and freedom can be reconciled in the future will be one of the central challenges of our time.
Smartphones are ubiquitous – and yet many Germans long for places where they can consciously put them aside. Cafés, bars, and restaurants should once again be spaces for genuine encounters and undivided attention. The yearning for digital-free time is growing, as a response to a life lived in constant online mode. What is considered an exception today could become a mark of quality tomorrow.
Sixty-three percent of Germans expect digitalization to profoundly change the world of work. But alongside the opportunities for new jobs, concerns about job losses are also growing. Not all professions are affected equally – adaptability and a willingness to learn will be particularly important in the future. The future lies not in competing with machines, but in intelligent collaboration. Education remains the key to participation.
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