R+V Study: Germans Fear Rising Living Costs and Political Uncertainty
According to R+V Versicherung AG's "The Fears of Germans 2026" study, rising living costs are the primary concern for Germans. Confidence in politics has also significantly declined.
Berlin – Rising living costs and political uncertainty are the dominant fears among Germans in 2026, according to the R+V "The Fears of Germans" study. The survey, conducted annually by R+V Versicherung since 1992, found that 59 percent of the population fears a significant increase in the cost of living, making it the top concern for the year.
The study also indicates a decline in public trust in politics, with fears of tax increases or benefit cuts ranking second at 53 percent. This reflects widespread concern about how the government will finance increasing expenditures in areas such as social security, defense, and infrastructure. Grischa Brower-Rabinowitsch, head of the study, noted that citizens are increasingly aware that higher taxes, reduced services, or increased national debt may be necessary.
Economic pessimism is further highlighted by a growing fear of a deteriorating economic situation. The apprehension of a recession saw the largest single increase among all surveyed fears, rising by ten percentage points. This surge suggests a collective loss of confidence in the country's economic future, according to political scientist Professor Dr. Isabelle Borucki.
The R+V study surveys 2,400 individuals annually regarding their greatest worries across political, economic, social, environmental, and health-related issues. The 2026 findings point to heightened economic anxieties and increasing skepticism towards political institutions.