Economy and Finances (September/October 2024)

The study on the economy and finances was conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research on behalf of the Federal Government´s Press and Information Office. During the survey period from 28.09.2024 to 11.10.2024, the German population aged 16 and over was surveyed in personal interviews on the following topics: Germany´s financial situation, interventions in the economy, the debt brake, austerity measures, investments, the tax system and marriage splitting. The respondents were selected using a quota sample.<br>Opinion on government intervention in the economy (too much, too little, or just right); change in government intervention in recent years (more intervention in the economy, less or no change); what influence the government should have on the economy (e.g. provide subsidies or bonuses that serve climate protection, financially support certain industries, ensure sufficient competition in all industries, etc.); assessment of the state´s financial situation; concern about Germany´s national debt; areas in which the state should save vs. should not save under any circumstances (split A) or should definitely spend more money vs. not necessary here (split B); fear of being personally affected by government savings; level of information regarding government plans for savings and investments; mention of specific savings measures and investment plans; will personally benefit from government investments; level of government (federal, state, local) with the biggest financial problems (split A) vs. State level that is in the best financial position (split B); assessment of the financial situation of the federal state and own city/municipality; the state should cut spending/save, increase taxes and levies or take on new debt to finance its projects; level of information regarding the debt brake and definition; assessment of the debt brake in principle as a good vs. not a good regulation; abolishing or relaxing the debt brake vs. maintaining the debt brake; long-term effects of the debt brake on Germany´s economic development (benefits vs. (benefits vs. harms); opinion on the future design of the debt brake (strict compliance, more flexible design, abolition); fairness of the current tax system; groups of people particularly favored by the tax system (split A) or particularly disadvantaged groups of people (split B); assessment of taxes and duties as too high, too low or appropriate; taxes and duties that are particularly burdensome personally (split A) or taxes rated as too high, appropriate or relatively low (split B); opinion on spousal splitting (should be retained, should be replaced by family splitting, should be abolished without replacement); personally benefited from spousal splitting; assessment of the planned change to spousal splitting from 2030 as a correct vs. not a correct measure (split A: classification of both partners in the same tax bracket, split B: classification of both partners in the same tax bracket supplemented by information on the change in monthly net income); respondent is married or in a registered civil partnership; expected impact of the change in spousal splitting on the personal tax burden; opinion on inheritance tax: for vs. against high inheritance tax; opinion on wealth tax for high earners and the wealthy (in principle for the introduction of a wealth tax, introduction of wealth tax from assets of one million euros (split A) or from assets of two million euros (split B), in principle against the reintroduction of wealth tax); assessment of taxes and duties for small and medium-sized companies (split A) or for large companies (split B) in Germany as too high, too low or appropriate.

Demography: Sex; age; age categories; educational attainment; occupation; occupational status; monthly net income of main earner (grouped); main earner (respondent, other person in household); children; number of children; age of children; number of children in household; multi-person household or single household; Number of people in household with own income; monthly net household income (grouped); marital status; living with a partner; federal state; population of place of residence (city size); character of place of residence; social and economic status; interest in politics; party sympathy.

Additionally coded: external questionnaire number; indicator of the semi-groups, indicator of the West-East questionnaire; weighting; respondent has mentioned at least one of the items asked.