A growing number of young people in Germany are questioning whether their future still lies in the country.
Many feel worn down by years of overlapping crises, uncertain prospects and mounting mental strain – with some responding by drifting towards political extremes or imagining a life abroad.
The findings come from the ninth "Youth in Germany" trend study, published on Wednesday and based on a representative survey of 2,012 people aged 14 to 29.
It paints a picture of a generation that remains motivated and willing to contribute, but increasingly doubts whether Germany can still offer stability, fairness and long‑term security.
What does the study reveal?
One of the headline findings is the scale of young people’s willingness to leave the country. Around 41 percent of respondents say they can imagine emigrating in the future, while 21 percent already have concrete plans to leave Germany in search of better living conditions elsewhere.
These attitudes sit alongside a shift in political preferences. The study finds that support for centrist parties is weakening, while parties at the political fringes are gaining ground.
The Left Party (Die Linke) is currently the most popular party among young people, polling at 25 percent overall, with particularly strong support among young women.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) polls at around 20 percent among 14‑ to 29‑year‑olds, with significantly above‑average support from young men.
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How do the authors explain the findings?
The authors of the study link these trends to a sharp rise in psychological strain, describing young people as having lived much of their lives in "crisis mode", marked by "war, inflation, rising housing costs, and, more recently, US President Trump", according to the press release.
This pressure shows up in the data, with 29 percent of young people saying they need psychological support, a new high for the study. In 2025, the number was 24 percent.
The figure rises to 34 percent among young women, 32 percent among students and 42 percent among unemployed respondents. Study director Simon Schnetzer said that the results illustrate "stress, exhaustion and a growing sense of hopelessness" among many young people.
23 percent of respondents reported being in debt (up from 20 percent in 2025), and many respondents indicated that high rents and a shortage of housing made it harder to plan for an independent adult life.
Many also feel locked out of secure jobs as technological change and artificial intelligence reshape the labour market.
Just as important, however, is a feeling of not being heard. Many young people believe their concerns are being ignored by political decision‑makers.
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One participant summed up this feeling by saying, "In Germany, I have freedom of speech, which I think is good, but young people aren’t taken seriously by politicians, and I might have better prospects in other countries."
As study author and education researcher Nina Kolleck put it, this is not a loud or dramatic protest movement. Instead, she said that "something is brewing beneath the surface" that could have long‑term consequences for the economy, social cohesion and public trust.
How are young people responding to these challenges?
For the study’s authors, young people in Germany remain willing to work hard and take on responsibility but are increasingly losing faith that their efforts will be rewarded.
In addition to imagining a future abroad or turning their backs on the political centre, young people are also responding to the challenges of life in the modern world in other ways.
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One notable shift is in education and career planning. Faced with fears of unemployment and rapid technological change, vocational training is becoming more attractive than university study.
Many respondents said they now prioritised practical skills, clear career pathways and job security over academic qualifications, which they increasingly think of as risky in an unstable labour market.
At the same time, young people are actively seeking ways to cope with mounting mental pressure.
Alongside traditional forms of support, many are turning to digital solutions – including AI‑supported counselling services – to help manage stress, anxiety and personal problems.
At the same time, "it is also striking that 60 percent of young people exhibit addiction-like smartphone use," noted the authors.
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