The situation of young people in Germany is anything but good, as the trend study "Youth in Germany 2026" shows. "At 21 per cent, one in five young people are actually planning to leave Germany," says author Kilian Hampel from the University of Konstanz. Young Germans are hoping for better living conditions abroad.
In the long term, emigration even interests 41 per cent of the respondents in the study, who are between 14 and 29 years old. "The study emphasises how urgently young people need reliable prospects for work, housing and financial security," says Hampel.
23 per cent of young Germans have debts
This is because it has become more difficult to gain a foothold in all of these areas in recent years. The prospects for the world of work in particular leave much to be desired for young people. The fact that the German economy has been stagnating for over two years is also reflected in the job opportunities for career starters.
In December, the Federal Employment Agency reported more unemployed graduates. Compared to the same month last year, the rate was 25 per cent higher. A sound education is therefore no longer a guarantee for entering the world of work.
Partly due to these economic uncertainties and the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), young people rate their career opportunities worse than before, the trend study also found. In addition, the proportion of young people in debt is at a new high of 23 per cent. This means that around a quarter of young people in Germany lack a secure financial starting position.
More mentally stressed than ever before
The uncertainties in professional life and high levels of stress when it comes to housing are overwhelming for many, as the study shows. "The results of the trend study dramatically show how much the pressures of recent years are affecting young people - in the form of stress, exhaustion and a growing lack of prospects," emphasises study director Simon Schnetzer.
The proportion of young people who state that they need psychological support has also reached a new high of 29 per cent. Women (34 per cent) and students (32 per cent) are particularly affected by psychological stress. 42 per cent of young Germans who do not have a job also rely on psychological support services.
At the same time, the statutory health insurance funds have to make savings due to the economic situation and are also targeting psychotherapists. At the beginning of March, the extended evaluation committee of the health insurance funds decided to cut fees by 4.5 per cent. For many practising psychotherapists, this is "completely the wrong signal", as the Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists commented. The demand for psychotherapy has been growing continuously for years.
The health insurance funds are bringing a total sum up for discussion in this committee. Ultimately, the entire committee decides how distribution scales are allocated to doctors and psychotherapists.
The health insurance funds justify this step by stating that the fees paid to psychotherapists have risen disproportionately compared to other professional groups in recent years, specifically by an average of 52 per cent since 2013. This is significantly higher than the increase in other medical specialist groups (around 33 per cent) and should therefore be offset.
The Psychotherapy Action Alliance is planning several demonstrations, including directly in front of the Ministry of Health. A petition to the Bundestag is also currently being prepared.
Young people want stability
The crisis mode that has persisted for years seems to be intensifying with the US and Israeli war on Iran. The reality of life for young Germans has been characterised by inflation and rising housing costs for years.
According to the study, it is also striking that around 60 per cent of young people exhibit addiction-like smartphone use. Many also turn to AI-supported counselling services with personal results. Ultimately, the desire for stability in particular is growing.
According to the study, doubts are growing as to whether performance is still worthwhile in Germany. This is despite the fact that the vast majority are willing to work and take on responsibility. Consequently, it is also a question of young people hardly feeling addressed by the majority parties, let alone involved.
On the other hand, there is a shift towards the political fringes. According to the Sunday poll, the Left Party is currently the most popular party among young voters. However, there is a large gap between the sexes in particular. While the majority of young women vote in favour of the Left, young men are increasingly voting for the AfD.
"The youth protest is not loud, but something is brewing under the surface that could jeopardise the economy, regions and social security systems in the long term," explains study author Nina Kolleck from the University of Potsdam.
In 2024, most Germans, regardless of age, settled in Switzerland, where there were around 324,000 Germans. This was followed by around 233,000 Germans in Austria, 128,000 in Spain and 91,000 in France.
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