An Ipsos poll shows that 57% of Germans are welcoming the new year with optimism and hope, a 15‑point increase from the previous year, despite ongoing crises.
"Such a positive shift has not happened since the COVID‑19 pandemic," said Horizon researcher Horst Obachowski from Hamburg.
The study also notes that 52% of respondents still feel anxious about their economic situation, indicating that the upbeat mood is not tied to financial status.
He points out that "the German fear has become rare" and that "life amid continuous crises unleashes positive energies and resilience in people".
Meanwhile, another BAT study found that 60% of Germans are looking toward 2026 with fear, compared to 63% last year.
