Germans Nostalgic for the 1980s

According to a recent poll, the majority of Germans believe that life was better in the 1980s. The survey, conducted by Infratest dimap on behalf of ARD, found that 52% of respondents think that life in Federal Germany (West Germany) was better at that time, while only 23% expressed the opposite view.

Nostalgia for the 1980s is reflected in the aesthetics of series like Stranger Things. According to psychologist Thomas Kliche, the idealization of the past is a human need, as people tend to embellish their memories.

Furthermore, 63% of respondents believe that public transport and infrastructure worked better in the 1980s. Marcel Fratzscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), points out that net state investments have been negative for 30 years.

At the same time, 59% believe that there were more opportunities for economic and social advancement. Marcel Fratzscher agrees, emphasizing that today, professional and academic training largely depends on the income and education level of parents.