Impact Assessment: Inflation Emotions Affecting Sexual Activities and Social Interactions
Inflation in Germany, while easing to around 2.0% in mid-2025, continues to have a significant impact on various aspects of people's lives. A recent survey reveals changes in lifestyle, mental health, and family planning decisions, although the specific quantitative data is limited.
One in ten adults aged 25 to 44 has adjusted their family planning due to the economic situation, wanting fewer children. Seven percent of the same age group has postponed their desire to have children due to the economic situation. Women are more likely to report lower self-esteem due to inflation, with around 18 percent of respondents citing this as a reason.
Older adults, those aged 55 and above, are particularly resilient to the effects of inflation. However, more than half of adults in Germany are going out to restaurants, cinemas, or theaters less often than before due to inflation. Seventeen percent of respondents say friendships have suffered because they're doing less with friends due to inflation. Young adults aged 18 to 24 are most likely to report that their friendships have suffered due to inflation.
The mood seems pessimistic, despite some misconceptions about the actual increases in food, energy, and service prices. Seven-eighths (78%) of respondents believe food has become more expensive compared to last year, but the actual increase is 2.0%. Men and those aged 25 to 44 are most likely to report a worse sex life due to inflation. Over a quarter of adults feel more anxious and stressed than before due to inflation.
Economic uncertainty and price increases contribute to increased anxiety and possibly reduced self-confidence among individuals. However, explicit data on anxiety and self-confidence related directly to inflation is not given in the search results. Real wages in Germany have increased slightly, with minimum wages improving significantly in real terms, which may mitigate some inflation effects for lower-income workers.
Inflation has moderated mainly due to falling energy prices, but food and service prices have continued to rise, pushing overall living costs higher. This persistent pressure on household budgets is linked with reduced consumer confidence and willingness to spend, which likely impacts social activities such as going out and entertainment consumption.
Regarding social interactions like friendships, going out, or sex life, specific quantitative or survey data for Germany under current inflation was not found in the results. The decline in consumer willingness to buy and lower consumer confidence may imply less discretionary spending on social outings, indirectly affecting human interactions and leisure activities.
Family planning decisions may also be impacted by economic pressures, as seen historically in economic downturns, but there is no direct data citing changes in birth rates or family planning behavior related to current inflation in the search results. The economic and social impacts remain areas requiring further detailed study or survey data.
- Amidst the economic pressures caused by inflation, one-tenth of adults aged 25 to 44 have adjusted their family planning.
- The survey indicates that seven percent of adults in the same age group have postponed their plans to have children purely due to the economic situation.
- In addition to changes in lifestyle and family planning, the survey data shows that women are more likely to report lower self-esteem due to inflation, with around 18 percent of respondents citing this as a reason.
- As inflation also affects mental health, over a quarter of adults feel more anxious and stressed than before, suggesting a possible increased need for mental-health support and workplace-wellness programs.
