It’s that time of year again: the results of Germany’s “Happiness Atlas” (Glücksatlas) have been released and they paint a rather bleak picture. Happiness in the federal republic has fallen to a historic low as lockdowns and other restrictions continue to affect people's lives.

Happiness Atlas shows Germans aren’t happy

The last year has evidently been tough for the people of Germany. While many thought coronavirus restrictions would cease in 2021, the year has been fraught with lockdowns and fluctuating infection numbers. This has had a significant effect on people's happiness, as the annual Glücksatlas shows.

The happiness level in Germany stands at 6,58 points out of 10, which is not only lower than last year’s value (6,74) but also the lowest value since the survey began in 1984. Before 2021, the Germans were at their unhappiest in 2004 (with a score of 6,65); a time when unemployment levels were particularly high. Germans were happiest in 2019, just before the pandemic started, with a record score of 7,14.

The study is based on a survey by the Allensbach Institute and commissioned by Deutsche Post. The survey asked more than 8.400 to give their satisfaction with life a score out of 10, 10 being “completely satisfied” and 0 being “not at all satisfied”. The survey was carried out between January and June of this year.

Coronavirus intrinsically linked to German happiness

The report found that Germans’ happiness with life was directly linked with coronavirus and its effects on society. "The higher the number of infections and the stricter the measures, the lower the level of happiness," the report concludes. Germany’s vaccination drive did do something to improve matters, however: "The greatest dissatisfaction was caused by the overall rather excessive lockdowns, the greatest increase in satisfaction and confidence was brought about by the vaccination [rollout]," said Bernd Raffelhüschen from the University of Freiburg, who headed the study.

Life satisfaction in Germany was stricken by the closure of leisure facilities, with satisfaction over leisure time falling to an average of 5,0 amongst respondents. Satisfaction with family life also fell, since the closing of schools, daycare centres and other forms of childcare put a strain on parents and guardians. "In normal times, children are good luck charms," ​it said in the report. "In corona times, primary school children cost their parents 0.21 satisfaction points on average."

People are unhappiest in Berlin

The report also determined the happiest states in Germany. The happiest states (with a rather lacklustre score of 6,78) were Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony-Anhalt. Before the pandemic, Saxony-Anhalt sat in 13th place amongst the federal states. The report explains that, rather than the people of Saxony-Anhalt being much happier during the pandemic, happiness has simply decreased more sharply in the other states. Berlin was ranked as the least happy state in the country.

There were also differences in occupational and demographical groups. Officials were ranked as the happiest people during the pandemic, with a life satisfaction rating of 7,02. Men were also determined to be happier than women, with a score of 6,72 compared to 6,56.