Survey: High willingness to make personal cuts in reforms

There is great agreement about the need for reform in Germany. But what about the population's willingness to make sacrifices? A survey provides information.

In order for the social security systems to continue to function in the future, many people in Germany would be willing to temporarily accept personal disadvantages.

Frankfurt/Main. A large proportion of people in Germany would accept short-term personal cuts in favor of sustainable social reforms. 41 percent of the 5,000 representative adults surveyed answered accordingly in a Civey survey for the Association of the Electrical and Digital Industry (ZVEI).

In the 30 to 39 age group, the willingness to accept temporary disadvantages in the event of corresponding reforms is highest at 56 percent. 46 percent of 18 to 29 year olds say this. Agreement on this question is lowest in the 40 to 49 year old age group at 24 percent.

On the other hand, there is broad consensus across all age groups that the country needs comprehensive political reforms, not just to make the social security systems future-proof in the medium to long term: 83 percent of survey participants see it that way.

“Citizens don’t want flashes in the pan”

At the top of their list of demands is the desire for significantly less bureaucracy (44 percent). Just over a third each consider a more efficient use of government spending (36 percent) and long-term financing of social systems (35 percent) to be important. 32 percent would like the federal government to make electricity more affordable.

“People in Germany want change because they realize that it is not enough to maintain their own status quo while the world around us is gaining momentum,” said ZVEI President Daniel Hager, commenting on the survey results. "The citizens don't want a flash in the pan. They want structural improvements and reliable relief."

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