Overview

• 87% of Germans perceive growing societal division, with 89% reporting increased hostility in daily interactions, according to the Rheingold-Institut study.
• Only 9% of respondents expect social cohesion to improve over the next decade, down from 17% in 2023, reflecting deep pessimism about the future.
• Trust in democratic institutions remains critically low, with only 34% expressing confidence in parliament and government, while 37% explicitly distrust them.
• Nearly half of young people aged 18–29 avoid sharing their opinions openly due to fear of criticism, highlighting a growing culture of self-censorship.
• Many Germans are retreating into private networks of family and close friends, with only 28% feeling safe in public spaces and 18% feeling protected from external threats.