A survey conducted by the German market and social research institute INSA-Consulere on behalf of the Protestant news agency IDEA, states that 70% of Germans believe that social unity is becoming increasingly weak.

Researchers interviewed 2,063 adults for the survey, from 17 to 20 June.

German federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier has proposed mandatory voluntary service for young people in order to strengthen public spirit.

According to the survey, 14% of those surveyed do not share the view that social cohesion is declining, 12% do not know what they think, 4% did not specify.

Protestants, old people and women

Women are more likely than men to believe that public spirit is declining (72% versus 68%),while the younger the respondents are, the less they agree with the idea that social cohesion is weakening (18-29-year-olds: 57%, 30-39-year-olds: 59%, 40-49: 67%, 50-59: 75%, over 60-year-olds: 81%).

Regarding church members, state church Protestants are the ones who most agree with the idea that there is less social cohesion (75%), followed by Catholics (72%) and free church members (63%). Among Muslim respondents, this view is minoritarian: 38%.