NEW PARADIGM
Survey - Germans in favour of government debt to finance investments
Around 80 per cent want the state to invest more money in climate protection, schools and infrastructure. Almost 70 per cent of people are in favour of financing such investments through higher debt. Two-thirds in favour, even among FDP voters. Representative survey on attitudes and narratives regarding government debt.
PUBLISHED
17. JANUARY 2025
Despite fundamental reservations, Germans are in favour of the state taking on additional debt – if this serves to finance investments in schools or climate protection, for example. Many people in the country agree with the statement that ‘we should not leave our children mountains of debt’. However, almost 70 per cent agree with the statement that it is ‘better’ to ‘take on new debt to invest in the future instead of leaving our children a ruined planet’. This is the result of a representative survey in which agreement with relevant positions and narratives was tested.
For the survey commissioned by the Forum New Economy in collaboration with d|part, a total of 1986 people aged 16 to 80 were surveyed from October 18 to 30, 2024. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, level of education and federal state. One focus of the survey was to ask specifically about agreement with common narratives and stories; in the extended survey, attitudes towards the role of the state and debt were also asked directly.
Details on the analysis – here.
Further results of the survey on the major economic challenges – here.