Overview
- The 2026 wave of the long‑running “Jugend in Deutschland” survey reports that 21% of 14‑ to 29‑year‑olds have concrete plans to emigrate, with 41% saying they could imagine leaving.
- Rising strain shows up in money and housing pressures, with a record 23% reporting debt and many fearing they will not keep up with rent or find affordable homes.
- Mental‑health needs hit new highs, as about 29% say they need support and reported depression rises to roughly 25%, up about five points from the prior year.
- Political confidence is low and preferences are shifting, with only 14% expressing trust that the government will do the right thing and stronger pull toward parties at the edges, including the Left and AfD in some samples.
- An independent DeZIM study finds a similar 21% share of people in Germany considering emigration, higher among those with migration backgrounds, while study authors warn prolonged youth frustration could drain talent, depopulate weaker regions and strain social‑security systems; early responses now include proposals for youth mental‑health support, cheaper mobility and local youth spaces.