Impact Study Finds Inflation Affects Sexual and Social Interaction Among People
According to a recent YouGov survey, inflation in Germany has had a significant impact on the emotional well-being of adults. The increasing cost of living due to inflation has made it challenging for many people to maintain their usual social activities, which in turn has weakened their self-confidence and overall mental health.
Financial worries related to inflation are causing psychological stress for many Germans, affecting their social interactions and self-esteem. Some of this emotional impact stems from lingering misconceptions about inflation from higher rates during the COVID-19 crisis nearly three years ago.
Despite slight rises in food (2%) and service prices (3.3%), energy prices have decreased by 3.5% compared to last year, and overall inflation has moderated somewhat in 2025. These mixed emotional outcomes may be due to these discrepancies between perceived and actual inflation rates.
More than a quarter of adults feel more anxious and stressed than before due to inflation. More than half of adults in Germany are going out to restaurants, cinemas, or theaters less often than before due to inflation. Men and those aged 25 to 44 are particularly affected by the deterioration of their love life.
Young adults aged 18 to 24 are most affected by the deterioration of their friendships. Around 18 percent of respondents report a lower self-esteem because they can afford less due to inflation. Seven percent of respondents report that their love life has deteriorated due to financial stress.
Among those aged 25 to 44, one in ten has decided to adjust their family planning due to the economic situation and wants to have fewer children. Seven percent have even postponed their desire to have children.
Interestingly, more than a third of adults say that inflation does not affect their well-being, with this being particularly true for those aged 55 and over. This suggests that the emotional impact of inflation may vary among age groups.
The Federal Statistical Office is the source for the data on food, energy, and service price changes. According to the Federal Statistical Office, food prices have actually increased by 2.0 percent, contrary to the belief of three-quarters (78 percent) of respondents. Energy prices have decreased by about 3.5 percent compared to last year, contrary to more than half (53 percent) of respondents' beliefs.
The highest inflation rate in Germany since reunification was measured almost three years ago, in October and November 2022, at 8.8 percent. In June, the inflation rate was 2.0 percent, which is 0.2 percentage points lower than in June 2024. Inflation rate data for June 2024 is not provided in the text.
The answers of many respondents seem to be based on false assumptions, suggesting a need for increased education and transparency regarding inflation rates. The mood seems pessimistic, possibly influenced by a feeling that has crept in and solidified over the years.
Science indicates that financial stress due to inflation negatively impacts mental health and self-confidence, leading to increased anxiety and stress among all age groups, particularly young adults and men aged 25 to 44. This stress seems to affect relationships, with a decline in social activities and a deterioration of love life reported by many respondents. Interestingly, the Federal Statistical Office reveals that food prices have increased, contrary to the belief of a significant number of respondents, while energy prices have decreased. Despite this discrepancy between perceived and actual rates, a large portion of adults believe that inflation substantially affects their well-being, with older adults being less affected. The overall mood appears to be pessimistic, potentially stemming from outdated misconceptions about inflation rates and a feeling that has persisted over time. To alleviate this, efforts should be made towards improving public understanding of inflation and its impact on health-and-wellness, mental-health, lifestyle, and relationships.
