Most young Germans see no point in politics, survey says – DW – 12/12/2024
www.dw.com
The majority of young people in Germany see no point in becoming involved with politics, according to a survey. Most see too many hurdles and believe politicians don't take their worries seriously, the report said.

Summary

A survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation found that most young Germans (ages 16-30) feel disillusioned with politics, citing distrust, lack of influence, and insufficient avenues for engagement beyond voting.

Only 8% believe politicians take their concerns seriously, and fewer than 1 in 5 feel they can enact change.

Despite this, 61% still see democracy as the best system.

The findings come as Germany faces potential elections after its coalition collapse, with experts urging politicians to better involve youth on key issues like peace, education, and inflation.

  • AlecSadler@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    25·
    11 days ago

    Damnit Germany was going to be my stepping stone for a number of years when I leave the US, out of the fire into a frying pan maybe…

    • De_Narm@lemmy.worldEnglish
      47·
      11 days ago

      That honestly wasn’t a good idea from the get-go. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really glad to be in Germany instead of the US, but there are several reasons I’d be open to leave for years now. It’s been obvious we’ve been running into major future problems nobody does anything about. But then again, once you actually look into it, pretty much every country has gone to shit or never has been anything but.

      A small list of problems in Germany: political shift to the far right; reliance on a dying industry; avoiding debt at all costs; no investment in infrastructure or any modernization; the inevitable collapse of our pension system; degrading health care; pretty much missing workers in all fields and still hating on immigrants; a crippling bureaucracy overhead for everything; a society dead-set on both complaining about everything and wanting to change nothing.

        • De_Narm@lemmy.worldEnglish
          22·
          11 days ago

          Oh, we’ve got some shitheads taking every culture war talking point from you guys. On of them tried to import the abortion debate, thinking it would spark outrage despite pretty much everyone over here agreeing with abortion rights - as any sane person would. And this shithead probably gets voted into one of the highest positions of government early next year.

          • Miaou@jlai.luEnglish
            1·
            9 days ago

            Three years ago it was illegal to say you did abortions as a doctor. And don’t get me started on women having to maintain lists of the ones actually doing them at all. So no, it’s definitely not something “everyone agrees over” especially in such a conservative country.

            Germans have to stop comparing themselves to the USA, and start looking at their European peers, if they want to better they country.

      • AlecSadler@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        8·
        11 days ago

        Oh I agree, it’s just that Germany gets me out of the US and overseas easier than anywhere else I’ve looked. So it’d be a stepping stone.