Food prices
According to the survey, the increase in prices is overestimated
Food, heating energy, gasoline: Consumer prices have risen rapidly since 2020, and recently no longer. The perceived inflation is significantly higher.
Many people in Germany perceive the price increases, especially in food, as significantly higher than they actually are. This is the result of a study by the employer -related institute of the German economy (IW). This is based on a representative survey of under 3,267 people aged 18 and over, which was carried out in December.
Two thirds of consumers therefore stated that food prices have “increased” in the past twelve months. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the inflation rate in this area was only 1.9 percent on average in 2024. The general inflation rate last year estimates that the respondents estimate with 15.3 percent. She had only 2.2 percent.
“In 2023 the prices rose sharply, no longer in 2024. In the perception of consumers, however, they increased significantly again. Many do not notice that inflation has weakened,” said study author Matthias Diermeier.
Expert: supporters of the marginal parties distrust statistics
The IW researchers also examined the question with regard to the voters. The result: supporters of AfD and BSW look more negative at inflation and overestimate the price increases. “Our investigation suggests that the supporters of the edge parties distrust the official statistics,” said Diermeier. Inflation can mobilize the topic of inflation in the Bundestag election on the edges.
Consumer prices in Germany rose by 19.3 percent between 2020 and 2024. Heating energy (50.3 %), fuels such as diesel and petrol (41 %) as well as food (32.8 %) became significantly more expensive.
“It is correct and important that the prices only increase moderately. But the price level for many goods of daily needs is still significantly higher than three years ago, the prices did not go back,” said economist Sebastian Dullien from the Institute for Macroeconomics and economic research by the Hans-Böckler Foundation near the trade union. The shock is deep in many consumers. “Until he lies, it will surely take several years in which income increases more than inflation.”
dpa
Source: Stern
