Happiness Atlas 2025: German life satisfaction at its highest level!

Happiness Atlas 2025: German life satisfaction at its highest level!

Almost every second German is highly satisfied with his life. The currently published “Happiness Atlas” 2025 shows that average life satisfaction is 7.09 points, which represents a slight increase compared to the previous year (7.06 points). Bernd Raffelhüschen, the scientific director of the project, speaks of stability at a high level and sees the results as encouraging. The survey took place from July 2024 to June 2025 and included 13,905 respondents aged 16 and over. An additional survey of 5,148 citizens aged 18 and over in June 2025 also contributes to the results. An increase in life satisfaction was recorded in East Germany, with an increase of 0.12 points, while the West only increased by 0.02 points. This data is from Mercury reported.

A closer look shows that Hamburg residents are the happiest citizens and rate their satisfaction at 7.33 points. Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate follow closely with 7.21 points. On the other hand, Bremen comes in last place, followed by Berlin and Saarland.

Advantages and challenges

Although the enjoyment of work, family and leisure time has increased, there is a worrying trend: satisfaction with one's own income fell to 6.60 points and has hit the lower income groups particularly hard. Compared to the previous year, satisfaction in this group has decreased significantly. Older people, particularly those aged 61 to 74, show lower levels of satisfaction than in the 2010s. The main reasons for this are inflation and increasing loneliness, like that daily news determines.

In addition, the emotional situation among those surveyed is becoming increasingly tense: around 30 percent of participants reported that they often feel anger, while 22 percent often experience fear. Sadness is also a common feeling for 28 percent. In the context of the post-coronavirus recovery, this emotional high is a worrying aspect, exacerbated by negative influences such as the Ukraine war and high inflation.

A look at the federal states

The inequalities between the regions are decreasing, in particular the “happiness gap” between East and West Germany is shrinking. East Germany was able to increase its value by 0.12 points, while West Germany only gained 0.02 points. Regions that were previously considered weaker are gradually catching up. The differences in life satisfaction between the federal states, as shown in the Happiness Atlas, are no longer as pronounced as they were a few years ago. This shows that many parts of the country are on the right track to improve.

The results of the Happiness Atlas are viewed against the background of stability and simultaneous discomfort. The uncertainties that are increasing in these times affect many and require us to always keep our finger on the pulse of society.