Soaring Inflation Dampening Sexual and Social Experiences According to a Poll
In recent times, Germany has been experiencing moderate inflation, with the rate standing at around 2.0% as of mid-2025. This inflation, while seemingly manageable, has had a significant impact on the social interactions and personal lives of adults across the country.
According to a YouGov survey commissioned by Kleinanzeigen.de, young adults aged 18 to 24 are most likely to report that their friendships are suffering, with 21% of respondents citing less socializing as the primary cause. This trend continues among the 19% of young adults who report having less money and less desire for dates.
Older adults, those aged 55 and over, are above average in not being affected by inflation. However, among the demographics that are feeling the pinch, women are more likely to report lower self-esteem due to inflation compared to men. Moreover, around 18% of respondents report lower self-esteem because they can afford less due to inflation.
The survey also reveals that more than half (52%) of adults believe services have become more expensive. While services have indeed increased by 3.3%, this misperception could be contributing to a sense of financial strain.
Energy and food costs, key components affecting household budgets, have shown mixed trends. Energy prices have notably declined by about 3.5%, but food prices have still risen moderately by 2.0%. This uneven inflation in essential and social services can cause adults to be more cautious with discretionary spending on social activities, potentially reducing participation in outings, dining, or travel.
The German government has attempted to address inflation’s pressures through social security adjustments. In 2023 and 2024, Citizen’s Income payments were increased by around 11% and 12% respectively to help low-income households cope with inflation. However, a freeze in 2025 benefits has led to inadequacies in covering basic subsistence for many, especially single-parent families, mostly women-led. This financial strain may limit social engagement and increase stress and isolation in vulnerable groups.
Research indicates that economic hardship, including unemployment linked to inflationary periods, correlates with reduced life satisfaction and increased loneliness. The societal norms and strength of social networks influence how this impact is felt, with some demographics experiencing less pronounced social isolation effects than others.
In summary, German inflation is affecting adults’ social interactions and personal lives by increasing living costs and exerting pressure on social security benefits, which collectively can reduce leisure spending, strain family budgets, and contribute to varying degrees of social isolation or loneliness among adults, especially within lower-income or single-parent households.
- The survey also focuses on the impact of inflation on mental health, revealing that around 18% of respondents report lower self-esteem because they can afford less due to inflation.
- In the field of health-and-wellness, research indicates that economic hardship correlates with reduced life satisfaction and increased loneliness.
- Personal-finance concerns are also associated with the impacts of inflation, as more than half (52%) of adults believe services have become more expensive.
- Lifestyle choices may also be affected by inflation, as the uneven inflation in essential and social services can cause adults to be more cautious with discretionary spending on social activities, potentially reducing participation in outings, dining, or travel.
