More time for family and friends – according to a survey commissioned by DAK-Gesundheit, this is the most popular resolution for 2024. 65 percent of those surveyed by the Forsa Institute named this goal. In light of current crises, the desire to spend time together with close people is particularly pronounced among younger people, the health insurance company said. 71 percent of 14 to 29 year olds and 70 percent of 30 to 44 year olds made this resolution.
In second place is the goal of avoiding and reducing stress (62 percent), and in third place is moving more and doing sports (57 percent). In fourth place is the intention to eat healthier (53 percent). Only then does 51 percent say they intend to behave in a more environmentally and climate-friendly manner in the next year. In the previous year, 64 percent had mentioned this resolution.
Climate-friendly behavior only comes in fifth place
At 13 percentage points, the decline was higher than in any other area, the health insurance company explained. “Climate protection has become less important, especially among young people between the ages of 14 and 29,” it said. After 80 percent in the previous year, only 52 percent of young respondents said they had set climate-friendly behavior as a goal.
According to its own information, the climate movement Fridays for Future brought around 250,000 people onto the streets across Germany on September 15th this year. At the so-called global climate strike in March, activists put the total number at around 220,000. At the height of Fridays for Future, in September 2019, there were well over 200,000 people on the streets in Berlin alone, and well over a million nationwide.
What else the Germans are planning?
According to the DAK survey, other popular resolutions include taking more time for yourself (49 percent), being more frugal (36 percent), eating less meat and losing weight (31 percent each). The intention to use cell phones and computers less (28 percent), drink less alcohol (19 percent) and watch less television (18 percent) are mentioned less frequently.
