Impact of Inflation on Sexual and Social Lives Diminished, According to Survey Results
Inflation in Germany has stabilized around 2% in 2025, marking a moderation compared to past fluctuations. However, this economic environment has had a significant impact on the well-being, social interactions, and financial decisions of adults across the country.
Well-being
While the inflation rate has moderated, rising service costs such as healthcare, transport, and insurance can increase financial stress, potentially impacting life satisfaction and mental health. Data from Germany show that unemployment is linked with loneliness, suggesting that economic factors like inflation-induced job instability could indirectly affect social well-being. General worry about inflation remains high globally, indicating that concerns about financial security have a significant impact on emotional well-being.
Social Interactions
Economic pressures from inflation may constrain social activities that require spending, possibly reducing the frequency or quality of social interactions. Although specific German data on this are limited, increased costs in passenger transport (+11.4%) and social service prices (+8.5%) point to higher living expenses influencing social behavior. More than seventeen percent of respondents say that friendships have suffered because they are currently doing less with friends.
Financial Decisions
German consumers benefit from recent energy price declines but face slower easing in food inflation and steady upward pressure from services. This mixed inflation profile likely encourages more cautious financial behavior, such as cutting discretionary spending, prioritizing essentials, or seeking cost savings. The relatively low inflation rate (2%) aligns with ECB targets, which still implies a moderate erosion of purchasing power, affecting asset value and savings decisions.
More than half of adults in Germany are going out less to restaurants, cinemas, or theaters due to inflation. More than a quarter of adults feel more anxious and stressed than before due to inflation, and around 18 percent of respondents report a lower self-esteem due to being able to afford less.
Resilience
Older adults, those over 55, are particularly resilient to the effects of inflation. More than a third of adults say that inflation has not affected their well-being. Contrary to popular belief, energy prices have decreased compared to last year, by about 3.5 percent.
Impact on Family Planning
Among adults aged 25 to 44, one in ten has adjusted their family planning due to the economic situation, wanting fewer children. Seven percent have postponed their desire to have children. Young adults aged 18 to 24 are most affected by the decline in social activities.
Postponing Desires
Seven percent of respondents report a deterioration in their love life due to financial stress. Men and adults aged 25 to 44 are particularly affected by the deterioration in their love life. Despite common belief, the inflation rate in June was lower than in June 2024.
Beliefs and Reality
Three-quarters (78 percent) of respondents believe that food prices have increased compared to last year. Almost as many (52 percent) believe that services have become more expensive. However, according to the Federal Statistical Office, food prices have actually increased by 2.0 percent compared to last year, and services have increased by 3.3 percent.
In conclusion, while Germany's 2025 inflation rate is moderate compared to past fluctuations, the shifts in prices—especially in services—affect adults’ economic stress, social participation, and financial planning. The indirect effects on well-being and social connections are important, especially as economic pressures continue to influence lifestyle choices and interpersonal relationships.
- In the context of rising service costs due to inflation, mental health might be impacted, as financial stress can decrease life satisfaction.
- Data indicates a link between unemployment and loneliness, suggesting that economic factors like inflation-induced job instability could indirectly impact social well-being.
- Economic pressures from inflation may lead to a decrease in social interactions, as higher living expenses influence social behavior.
- Financial decisions might become more cautious due to the mixed inflation profile, encouraging people to cut discretionary spending, prioritize essentials, or seek cost savings.
- Older adults and those over 55 have shown resilience to the effects of inflation, with more than a third reporting that it has not affected their well-being.
