Impact Assessment: Inflation Woes Affect Sexual Activities and Social Interactions
In a recent survey commissioned by "Kleinanzeigen.de", it was revealed that a significant number of German adults are feeling the effects of inflation on their daily lives. The survey, which polled over 2,000 adults at the end of June, paints a picture of economic concerns affecting various aspects of life, from family planning to social interactions.
The data suggests that economic concerns are impacting family planning decisions among some adults. Ten percent of adults aged 25 to 44 have adjusted their family planning due to the economic situation, wanting fewer children. Seven percent of this age group have postponed their desire to have children due to the same reasons.
Seventy-eight percent of respondents believe food prices have increased compared to last year, but according to the Federal Statistical Office, food prices have increased by 2.0 percent. This discrepancy between public perception and official statistics highlights the misconceptions and pessimistic feelings about inflation rates among respondents.
The survey also shed light on the effects of inflation on social interactions. Seventeen percent of respondents say friendships are suffering because they're doing less with friends. Seven percent of respondents report a deterioration in their love life due to financial stress.
Inflation seems to be causing anxiety and stress among the population. Those aged 25 to 34 are most likely to say they feel more anxious and stressed (25 percent). Young adults aged 18 to 24 are also most likely to agree they have less money and less desire for dates (19 percent). Moreover, more than a quarter of adults (26 percent) feel more anxious and stressed than before inflation.
The highest inflation rate in Germany since reunification was measured nearly three years ago, at 8.8 percent in October and November 2022. However, in June, the inflation rate was 2.0 percent, lower than the rate in June 2024.
Despite the economic challenges, it's worth noting that over a third of respondents (34 percent) say inflation hasn't affected their well-being. Older adults, those aged 55 and above, are overrepresented among those who say the same.
The survey results provide a snapshot of how inflation affects economic behavior and induces social and psychological stress that may impact human interactions indirectly. For a detailed study based on a survey in Germany explicitly covering all the mentioned spheres (restaurant visits, sex life, self-confidence, anxiety, stress, friendships, family planning, misconceptions about price rises), it would be necessary to consult specialized socio-economic or public health surveys conducted by German statistical offices or research institutions.
[1] Inflation persistence is influenced by social factors, including workers' and firms' bargaining power, which affect wage and price setting beyond pure economic conditions. [2] Moderate inflation can induce psychological and economic instability, which might raise anxiety and stress among the population as money’s purchasing power fluctuates unpredictably. [3] Broader social stressors like acculturative stress (studied among international students in Germany) show that psychological difficulties can arise from adapting to changing environments, which may be exacerbated during periods of economic instability like inflation, potentially affecting mental health, self-confidence, and social relationships.
- Despite the economic challenges, a significant number of respondents assert that inflation hasn't affected their overall well-being, particularly older adults aged 55 and above.
- The survey reveals that inflation might indirectly impact human interactions, with 17% of respondents reporting that friendships are suffering due to financial stress and 7% reporting a deterioration in their love life for the same reasons.
- Moderate inflation can induce psychological and economic instability, potentially leading to anxiety and stress among the population as the purchasing power of money fluctuates unpredictably.
- In addition to economic concerns affecting aspects such as family planning and social interactions, the survey suggests that inflation may also impact mental health, self-confidence, and overall lifestyle, as broader social stressors like acculturative stress demonstrate potential effects during periods of economic instability.
