In a few weeks, Europeans will elect a new EU Parliament. Many German citizens are sceptical about the representatives to be elected, worry about their security, fear a future loss of prosperity and glorify the past. More than one in four Germans (29%) are of the opinion that the overall quality of life has declined. 37 per cent do not perceive any significant changes and feel that the advantages and disadvantages of the current affluent society are balanced. In contrast, a good third (34%) of the population can recognise a positive development compared to the past. This is the conclusion reached by the independent BAT Foundation for Future Studies, which conducted a representative survey of over 2,000 German citizens aged 14 and over in personal interviews on their current attitude to life.

As negative as the population's assessment of future developments may be, the year-on-year comparison certainly gives cause for hope. At the time of the global economic and financial crisis in 2009, the population took a much more critical view of the future. Only around one in four (24%) expected a positive development. In contrast, 35 per cent predicted a decline in the quality of life. Hope for the future has developed particularly positively among the younger generation: Whereas only 22 per cent expected an improvement in 2009, the figure is currently 37 per cent. The development in eastern Germany is also striking: while only one in seven (14%) could imagine an improvement a decade ago, this figure is currently around one in four. The strongest growth can be seen among the rural population, where confidence doubled from 17 to 36 per cent.

Regardless of which period in history is chosen as a reference, at no time has life expectancy been higher and infant mortality lower. Medical care has never been better, education never more comprehensive and communication never more immediate or easier than today. The emancipation of women is also more advanced than ever, as is the acceptance of same-sex couples. Freedom of expression has become the general standard and our standard of living and disposable income have increased significantly. At the same time, working hours have decreased and the number of holiday days has increased. Not to mention that everyone under the age of 65 has come to know peace, freedom and prosperity as a permanent state.

From a global perspective, life was no better in the past either: at the beginning of the 1950s, all western industrialised nations were - by today's standards - developing countries. Global poverty has fallen more sharply in recent decades than in the previous five centuries, and there are fewer and fewer people living in poverty.
illiterate and the number of war victims is also significantly lower - despite the civil war in Syria.

The financial possibilities have also improved. In the 1950s, for example, a VW Beetle only cost around DM 4,400. However, the gross wage of a skilled worker was also only around 75 marks per week - and this for a 6-day week with 48 working hours. The skilled worker therefore had to save his gross salary for 13 months in order to be able to buy a new VW. Currently, a skilled worker earns around 3,000 euros a month and a new VW Golf 7 costs around 16,500 euros, half as much as before.

Outlook of the Scientific Director Professor Dr Ulrich Reinhardt: „Life in the future will be better than in the past. We will continue to develop, have even more opportunities and find solutions to problems and challenges. However, it is important to emphasise the achievements, opportunities and circumstances more strongly and to send out positive signals. Politics, business, science and the media, as well as each individual citizen in their own personal environment, are called upon to do this.“

Sources: OECD, Eurostat and Federal Statistical Office