German Bausparverband Study Highlights Youth Housing Concerns

The Verband der Privaten Bausparkassen e. V. hosted a dialogue event called “Wortwechsel” at its Berlin headquarters, presenting findings from its internal study “Generation Zuversicht.” The study shows that many young Germans remain optimistic about their personal futures but express serious worries about peace, the effectiveness of politics, affordable housing and the security of their future pensions. Christian König, the association’s chief executive, emphasized that young people want the chance to own homes without relying on inheritance or family support, framing home ownership as a key component of private retirement planning. Trust in political parties, the federal government and large companies was reported as low, with König arguing that trust must be built through concrete actions rather than appeals.

The association calls for policies that provide real opportunities for upward mobility, secure housing, and reliable retirement savings, suggesting that addressing these issues is essential for maintaining societal confidence among the younger generation.