Generation Z | Study "Youth in Germany": Looking ahead

Young people in Germany are somewhat happier again and are slightly more optimistic about the future than last year. This is the finding of the online survey "Trend Study Youth in Germany 2025," in which around 2,000 people aged 14 to 29 participated, as well as similarly sized samples in the 30 to 49 and 50 to 69 age ranges. Study director Simon Schnetzer sees this as a "sign of relaxation" and considers the downward trend of recent years to have stopped – despite the continued high level of psychological stress among the younger generation.

Those under 30 expect a noticeable improvement in their satisfaction over the next two years. They are more optimistic about the future than older age groups. They also largely assess the present positively. However, they rate their financial situation as mediocre. Physical and mental health improved particularly significantly compared to the previous year.

Nevertheless, 14- to 29-year-olds report significantly higher levels of psychological stress than those over 30. Women are more frequently affected than men. One in two complains of stress, and one in three of exhaustion and self-doubt. "The difference in stress between age groups is enormous," says Schnetzer. One in three people under 30 report addictive smartphone or social media use. One in four under 30 report needing treatment for psychological stress. In the middle age group, the figure is one in five, and in the oldest, one in six.

Despite a slight increase in personal satisfaction, the assessment of the social situation in Germany remains bleak. All age groups, on average, rate economic development, social cohesion, and political conditions negatively. However, 14- to 29-year-olds view the situation somewhat less critically.

The biggest concerns of the younger generation are the war in Europe and the Middle East, inflation, social divisions, expensive housing, and climate change. While wars worry younger people somewhat less than older people, housing and climate change are becoming more of a focus for them.

The survey was conducted in January and February and ended shortly after the federal election. As was the case with the actual election results, the AfD and the Left Party were the most popular parties among first-time voters. At the same time, young people are more aware of the shift to the right in Germany than older people and are less likely to agree with anti-refugee statements.

Significant differences between age groups are also evident when it comes to military spending and arms deliveries . While 51 percent of older people support the reintroduction of conscription, only 18 percent of younger people support this idea. They are slightly more supportive of a mandatory year of social service.

When it comes to work, the differences are smaller than the "lazy youth" cliché suggests. 81 percent of young workers work full-time – more than in the 30-49 age group (76 percent) and the 50-69 age group (69 percent). Just as many say they give their best at work. But stress is also evident here: One in three people under 30 felt burned out by work stress in the previous month.

Education researcher Nina Kolleck from the University of Potsdam is therefore calling for more therapy places and a "systematic strengthening of young people's resilience." Maja Zaubitzer, Deputy Secretary General of the Federal Student Conference, adds: "We urgently need more social work and school psychology in schools." She emphasizes that mental health is a structural issue. Stress reduction must become part of everyday school life, and performance assessments should be conducted as late and individually as possible.

The trend study is being published for the eighth time. It is based on an "online access panel," in which participants register themselves online—rather than being randomly selected from society as a whole. Co-author Klaus Hurrelman of the Hertie School admits that the sample is "not fully representative in the statistical sense," but sees it as a "mirror of social conditions." Regarding gender, age, education, and religion, the respondents reflect the social distribution. To be able to compare the results of the online survey, the authors also conducted the survey at ten schools.