In contrast to what is often believed Germans are quite optimistic, in particular the younger generation. According to the association for research on consumption (GfK), one in three Germans believe that the economy will gain momentum again in the middle of the year 2010. About 10% are even more optimistic and think that recovery might come earlier.
These findings were brought to light in the course of a survey which is part of a monthly study carried out jointly by GfK an the “Welt am Sonntag” newspaper. According to this survey, 33 % of respondents said that recession might hit rock bottom by the middle of 2010. Almost 10 % hold the opinion that recovery could start as early as in 2009. Another 2 % think that the worst of the recession has already past. One third of interviewees, however, remain sceptical and believe that recovery will start in the second half of 2010 at the earliest.
The findings vary according to the age of respondents. Most optimistic are those aged between 20 and 29 year of whom 6 % believe that the worst is already over and another 15 % think that recovery will come by the end of this year. Among Germans aged between 60 and 69 years, however, more than 40 % hold the opinion that the current crisis will end only in the second half of 2010 at the earliest.
About 1000 men and women aged at least 14 took part in the representative study. 