FRANKFURT, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Amid ongoing international crises and persistent inflation, nearly four out of five Germans remain deeply concerned about their personal financial situation, according to a survey released Thursday by the European information service provider CRIF.
After surveying 5,000 consumers across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Britain, the study found that 79 percent of German respondents express anxiety over their economic outlook, slightly above the five-country average of 78 percent.
Data from the 1,000 participants surveyed within Germany reflects a stark short-term outlook. Over the next 12 months, 28 percent of German consumers expect their personal financial circumstances to deteriorate.
Furthermore, 38 percent anticipate having less disposable income at the end of each month, while 18 percent voice explicit concern over their ability to pay household bills on time in the near future.
This widespread financial insecurity directly impacts consumer behavior and dampens domestic demand. The study found that 51 percent of Germans plan to scale back their spending over the coming year. Among them, 32 percent intend to reduce expenses slightly, while another 19 percent plan to implement significant budget cuts.
"The results demonstrate that despite initial signs of economic stabilization, many consumers continue to feel under intense financial pressure," CRIF Germany CEO Frank Schlein said. "For years, people have experienced a succession of crises and instabilities that have permanently compromised their sense of financial security."
Schlein added that continuous exposure to new macroeconomic headwinds has fundamentally altered consumer psychology, and persistent stress factors have turned the consumers' financial caution into the "new normal."
According to the CRIF study, numerous households are actively adjusting their spending patterns, systematically searching for ways to increase savings, and increasingly turning to alternative financing options to bridge budget gaps. ■