Sentiment of inflation taking a toll on sexual activity and social life

Sentiment of inflation taking a toll on sexual activity and social life

In a recent survey conducted by Kleinanzeigen.de and reported in August 2025, the effects of inflation in Germany have been found to have psychological and social impacts, albeit with significant differences across various age groups.

The survey, which polled over 2,000 adults at the end of June, revealed that while 34% of respondents, particularly those aged 55 and above, claimed that concerns about inflation do not impact their emotional well-being, financial worries related to inflation still have negative effects on mental health for many others.

The survey findings suggest that many respondents' answers are based on false assumptions and a pessimistic mood that has solidified over time, partly due to lingering misconceptions from the peak inflation period nearly three years ago during the COVID-19 crisis.

One of the key findings was the discrepancy between the respondents' beliefs about food, energy, and service price increases and the actual increases reported by the Federal Statistical Office. For instance, three-quarters of respondents believe that food has become more expensive compared to last year, despite a 2.0 percent increase according to the Federal Statistical Office. Similarly, more than half of respondents report an increase in energy prices, while energy prices have decreased by about 3.5 percent according to the same source.

In terms of human interaction, the survey showed that more than half of adults are going out less to restaurants, cinemas, or theaters. Young adults aged 18 to 24 are most likely to agree that they have less money and less desire for dates. Around 17% of respondents say that friendships have suffered because they are doing less with friends, with young adults in this age group being the most affected.

The survey also found that among those aged 25 to 44, one in ten has adjusted their family planning due to the economic situation, deciding to have fewer children. Seven percent of respondents in this age group have postponed their desire to have children due to the economic situation.

The psychological impact of inflation was evident in the responses, with more than a quarter of adults feeling more anxious and stressed than before inflation. Those aged 25 to 34 are most likely to say they feel more anxious and stressed. Around 18% report lower self-esteem because they can afford less, with women being more likely to report lower self-esteem.

However, it's worth noting that over a third of respondents say that inflation has not affected their well-being. Older adults, those over 55, are particularly resilient to the impacts of inflation.

In October and November 2022, the highest inflation rate in Germany since reunification was measured at 8.8 percent. However, the inflation rate in June was 2.0 percent, 0.2 percentage points lower than in June 2024.

In conclusion, the current impacts of inflation on human interaction, self-confidence, and mental health in Germany include notable financial worries influencing psychological health for much of the population, although a substantial share of older adults report resilience against emotional effects from inflation concerns. This variation reflects both economic changes—such as modest inflation rates and some price decreases—and persistent perceptions shaped by earlier inflation spikes during the pandemic period.

[1] Source: YouGov Survey, August 2025

1. While some older adults, particularly those aged 55 and above, claim that concerns about inflation do not impact their emotional well-being, many others still experience negative effects on mental health due to financial worries related to inflation.
2. The survey findings suggest that many respondents' answers are based on false assumptions and a pessimistic mood that has solidified over time, partly due to lingering misconceptions from the peak inflation period nearly three years ago during the COVID-19 crisis.
3. In terms of human interaction, the survey showed that more than half of adults are going out less to restaurants, cinemas, or theaters, and young adults aged 18 to 24 are most likely to agree that they have less money and less desire for dates.
4. Among those aged 25 to 44, one in ten has adjusted their family planning due to the economic situation, deciding to have fewer children, and seven percent of respondents in this age group have postponed their desire to have children due to the economic situation.
5. The psychological impact of inflation was evident in the responses, with more than a quarter of adults feeling more anxious and stressed than before inflation, and those aged 25 to 34 are most likely to say they feel more anxious and stressed. Around 18% report lower self-esteem because they can afford less, with women being more likely to report lower self-esteem. However, over a third of respondents say that inflation has not affected their well-being, and older adults, those over 55, are particularly resilient to the impacts of inflation.

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