New BAT study on leisure and quality of life
Unequal distribution of life satisfaction in West and East

Although the standard of living in Germany is unparalleled in Europe, Germans are dissatisfied. Not even half of West Germans (42%) believe that people are "better off today than in the past." The proportion of satisfied people is even lower in the former East Germany. Only one in six East Germans (16%) believes that the higher standard of living has also led to a better quality of life for individuals and society. This is according to a comprehensive representative survey conducted by the BAT Leisure Research Institute, in which 3,000 people aged 14 and over in West and East Germany were asked about their life and leisure satisfaction.

More wealth does not necessarily mean a better quality of life.

Greater material prosperity is no guarantee of greater social well-being for citizens. A social divide is currently emerging across Germany, with West Germans demonstrating more general dissatisfaction, while East Germans have very specific concerns. "Concern can escalate into fear, dissatisfaction into resentment," says Prof. Dr. Horst W. Opaschowski, head of the BAT Institute. "Such a development harbors the potential for social unrest." Satisfaction with the achieved quality of life is also unevenly distributed within West Germany. While most Berliners (54%) and Saarlanders (55%) are happy and satisfied with "more leisure time, a higher standard of living, and greater social security," the proportion of satisfied individuals is lower in Northern Germany (36%) than in North Rhine-Westphalia (44%), and lower in Baden-Württemberg (35%) than in Bavaria (41%). The reasons for this are not only different living conditions, but above all socially and culturally developed attitudes towards life.

Two-thirds of German citizens: No leisure time, no quality of life

The shift in values has left its mark. Germans' ideas about what constitutes quality of life today resemble a hierarchy of happiness, in which intangible values rank highest: health (95%), partnership (85%), family (83%), and nature (83%). Furthermore, over two-thirds of the population depend on leisure time to live truly happy and fulfilling lives. In the value hierarchy of West Germans, leisure time (70%) ranks significantly higher than work/career (60%), while for East Germans it is exactly the opposite: work and career are currently more important to them (79%) than leisure time (66%).

„"Quality of life during leisure time is the spice of life," says Prof. Opaschowski. "Life gains a higher quality during leisure time; indeed, without leisure time, there is no quality of life." In the subjective perception of the population, quality of life is synonymous with well-being. Warmth, security, and carefree moments are most readily found in free, self-determined time.

East Germans: "Freedom gained, security lost"„

However, from the perspective of the population, the current state of leisure activities in Germany presents a picture with significant shortcomings. Social conditions, as well as regional and local leisure infrastructure, considerably limit the quality of life during leisure time. For example, citizens in the former East Germany gained freedom with German reunification, but lost security. The fear of crime among East Germans is, on average, twice as high (46%) as in the West (23%). Opaschowski: "After work, fear spreads among many residents. Women and older citizens, in particular, no longer leave their homes because leisure time outdoors poses too many safety risks." Furthermore, while the existing leisure activities are cherished by East Germans, they are often too expensive (51%). And a third of all East Germans (34%) complain about "too few suitable leisure activities." The increasing commercialization of leisure activities also contributes to a growing gap between urban and rural areas.

West Germans in their free time: Victims of self-imposed hecticness

In contrast, the West German population suffers more from stress and hectic schedules in their leisure time. They can no longer enjoy their achieved prosperity in peace. For example, every second West German between the ages of 39 and 49 complains about the excessive hectic pace of everyday life. For every second family with children under 14, this hectic pace impairs their enjoyment of leisure time more than financial hardship. Opaschowski: "Often, self-imposed stress spoils the quality of life. West Germans frequently fall victim to excessive consumption during their leisure time. They 'consume' their own free time and then complain about a lack of quality of life." Instead of relaxing, simply enjoying themselves without time pressure, they cram too many things into their free hours. They put themselves in a senseless frenzy that they would never subject themselves to at work.

As important as leisure time is for quality of life to flourish, it is precisely the wealthy who are often unable to use it properly. Enduring leisure and practicing modesty are apparently rare virtues. The increase in leisure time that people have gained over the last forty years has led no more to a higher quality of individual life than increased material wealth. One conclusion of the BAT research is: "Those who live in consumer affluence live more comfortably, but more stressfully. Those who dream of wealth live more uncomfortable, but more peaceful lives.".

What does the leisure-loving person need to be happy?
Culinary delights, social contacts and consumption

Four things are essential for a person's happiness: good food and drink, friendly neighbors, television entertainment, and—most popular of all—a vacation. These areas are highly valued by the majority of the population in both western and eastern Germany. Additional priorities arise due to differing standards of living. East Germans need consumer goods and leisure items that are taken for granted by most West Germans: a bathtub, a modern kitchen, a nice apartment, and a car. All things that make leisure time more pleasant and enjoyable. For West Germans, however, true leisure happiness only begins when they have ample time for their hobbies and for celebrating festivals and parties.

There are remarkable differences between women and men on the scale of desires. Two different emotional and experiential worlds collide here.

• For women, feeling good in their free time begins at home. A comfortable and inviting atmosphere is paramount. Compared to men, they place significantly more value on a beautiful apartment (54% vs. 41% for men). This includes everything from a bathtub to books and a telephone, from a modern kitchen to a garden and friendly neighbors.
• Compared to women, men only feel truly comfortable when they are surrounded by technical toys, can pursue their hobby undisturbed (52 %, women 45 %) and can concentrate fully on their car or stereo system.

Improved quality of life: Improve leisure infrastructure

The BAT study does not stop at a critical assessment. The study's subtitle, "Perspectives for Germany," points to necessary socio-political tasks. These include, firstly, improving the framework for a higher quality of life during leisure time, and secondly, changing the psychosocial, individual perception of actual quality of life.

The study identifies shortcomings in leisure infrastructure. These include safe public transportation and reasonable pricing for leisure activities. Municipal advertising should prioritize the leisure activities of local residents at least as much as tourism promotion. Equally urgent is the creation of attractive programs for young people.

Professor Opaschowski points out that despite the often negative assessment of their quality of life during leisure time, people have certainly not become less happy. The fact is, however, "they don't feel happier." Subjectively, quality of life is generally judged worse today. It's a fact that those who live in affluence tend to complain about problems that affluence itself has brought about. And those who can easily fulfill their desires experience ever-decreasing satisfaction. As joy diminishes, so does the subjectively perceived quality of life. And with rising expectations, the potential for disappointment grows; indeed, dissatisfaction increases the better off people are. Hopes for the future can thus transform into anxieties about the future.

For policymakers, information about the well-being and quality of life of citizens must be of fundamental importance. It certainly cannot be the state's task to guarantee every citizen a carefree and happy life. Rather, the task of government policy must be to create living conditions under which citizens have sufficient opportunities to take care of their own personal well-being.