More than Two-thirds of German citizens (69%) look ahead to the year that has just begun with confidence. Last year, the figure was 72 percent. West Germans express themselves somewhat more positively than East Germans, and younger citizens are significantly more optimistic than the older generation. The differences between income groups are almost worrying: While around four-fifths of higher earners look to 2015 with confidence, the situation is quite different for younger people. Not even half of low-income earners are hopeful anymore.. These are the findings of a recent study by the BAT Foundation for Future Issues, for which over 2,000 German citizens aged 14 and over were interviewed in a representative sample in face-to-face interviews.

Economic expectations for 2015: Concern is rising again

From an overall economic perspective, the past year can be assessed very positively: unemployment figures were low, export surpluses were high, share prices rose, and new debt was lower than planned.
Despite these positive facts, the concerns of many German citizens are growing: Only one in three Germans expects a thriving economy in 2015. Compared to the previous year, this represents a decline of 7 percentage points. Hopes for growth are particularly low among older citizens, low-income earners, and East Germans.
The scientific director of the foundation, Professor Dr. Ulrich Reinhardt: „The fear of a new economic, financial, banking or euro crisis is growing.”. A growing number of citizens are expressing concern and fear that Germany is losing economic strength. This is linked to the... personal fear of job loss, pension reductions and financial losses. The citizens are also worried about the increasing societal division into the impoverished and the rich – they themselves fear slipping into poverty.“

Only one in five trusts politics

Trust in politicians remains low this year as well. Not even one in five citizens expects their approval ratings for elected representatives to increase over the next twelve months. On the contrary: Four out of five Germans even assume that politicians will continue to lose support.. East Germans, as well as older and low-income citizens, are once again particularly critical – having almost completely lost their trust. Reinhardt: „Especially in uncertain times, citizens expect honesty and reliability, prospects and security from politicians.”. But this is precisely where the problem lies. German citizens are not tired of politics in general, but rather of the elected parties and politicians. Politics, therefore, faces the major challenge of regaining trust. and to counteract the widespread feeling that decisions are made 'from above' or 'over people's heads'.".

Citizens are coming closer together – in Germany as well as in Europe

Ebola and the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, wars from Ukraine to Syria, rising sea levels and natural disasters – 2014 was a year of numerous international crises and conflicts. Despite, or perhaps because of, living in increasingly uncertain times, people in Germany and across Europe are growing closer together again; two out of five Germans are now convinced of this. The Scientific Director Professor Reinhardt: „The less the state and the economy can guarantee security, the more citizens help each other. This is not only about neighborly love, but also has pragmatic reasons: I help you so that I can be helped too.“
Conclusion: The era of egoism and pure individualism is drawing to a close; citizens want to and will grow closer together again, there is no alternative. For, as the Roman philosopher Seneca already knew: „"Human society is like a vault that will collapse if the individual stones do not support each other."“