Survey: Population in eastern Germany sees more dangers

Wars, inflation and low confidence in the ability of those in power to act mean that the population in Germany currently feels less safe than in previous years. This is shown by the results of a representative survey presented in Berlin by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy on behalf of the Center for Strategy and Higher Leadership.

There are sometimes big differences between East and West, for example when it comes to the assessment of Russia and the concern that they will not receive good care in the event of illness. “West and East Germany are currently drifting apart. This is a problem that receives far too little attention,” said the head of the opinion research institute, Renate Töpfer. More people in the East than in the West have the feeling that “the world in which they grew up is dying.”

Feeling of security decreases

As the 2024 Security Report shows, 61 percent of the population currently feels safe overall. Two years earlier the proportion was 76 percent. The situation in the Middle East is now perceived as just as threatening as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine that began in February 2022.

According to the information, 27 percent of the population in Germany consider Israel’s actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to be appropriate, 43 percent of those surveyed find the reaction to the terrorist attack on October 7th excessive, and 30 percent were undecided. 80 percent of people in the West and 53 percent of the population in East Germany believe that Russia poses the greatest threat to peace in the world.

According to the current edition of the security report, 68 percent of people in eastern Germany and 46 percent in the west feel a “general uncertainty about what will happen next.” People in the East are more worried than their compatriots in the West, among other things, about the influx of refugees to Europe and the development of energy and heating costs. According to the study, 76 percent of people in East Germany and 44 percent in the West fear that Germany could be drawn into military conflicts.

The money

Fears about a possible deterioration in one’s own material situation have decreased compared to previous years. Although the overall mood in the German economy is currently not good, only eleven percent of those surveyed see themselves as personally threatened by unemployment. A majority of 55 percent are concerned that they might not have enough money in old age. In the previous year, however, this value was significantly higher at 67 percent.

According to the survey, the population’s approval of the federal government’s current refugee policy is relatively low. A total of 65 percent of those surveyed consider this to be incorrect. This criticism is stronger than average among people with low incomes and little education as well as among supporters of the AfD (98 percent) and FDP (88 percent).

From a list of groups that pose great dangers, 86 percent of those surveyed chose Islamist groups; 81 percent see such dangers from “clans, large families from the Arab region.” The term “clans” is controversial because, according to critics, it stigmatizes people with a migrant background simply because of their family affiliation and origin.

Right-wing extremists consider 76 percent of the population to be very dangerous. 46 percent think this about left-wing extremists. Almost as many people say this about AfD supporters (44 percent), although the proportion in East Germany is significantly lower at 29 percent. 30 percent nationwide consider climate activists to be very dangerous.

Ukraine war

According to the survey, only one in ten believes that Ukraine can win the war. 34 percent think Russia will gain the upper hand. 56 percent did not dare to make an assessment. When surveyed a year ago, 16 percent of the German population still believed that the outcome of this war would be favorable for Ukraine. At that time, 23 percent predicted that Russia would be more likely to win the war.

According to the information, 89 percent of the population are calling for better protective measures against natural disasters, and almost four out of five people (79 percent) in Germany are in favor of greater investments in police equipment. 72 percent believe that more investments in the Bundeswehr’s equipment are necessary.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has announced a turning point in the Bundeswehr, “and the majority of citizens are wondering where and how it actually takes place,” said the founder of the Center for Strategy and Higher Leadership, Klaus Schweinsberg. The center is a private service provider that specializes in executive training.

For the representative study, 1,018 people aged 16 and over were surveyed from January 5th to January 18th.