Inflation Forces Almost Half Of Germans To Rein In Spending

Inflation Forces Almost Half Of Germans To Rein In Spending
Inflation Forces Almost Half of Germans to Rein In Spending

Nearly half of all Germans can no longer afford their lifestyle as inflation surges from one record to the next, according to a poll conducted for public broadcaster ARD.

About 47% indicated they're strongly or very strongly cutting back on spending. In low-income households, that share rises to more than three-quarters. The survey was conducted among 1,337 Germans between May 30 and June 1.

Inflation in Europe's top economy hit 8.7% in May, driven by energy and food costs that are likely to rise further as the war in Ukraine persists. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has introduced relief measures including a temporary cut to fuel taxes, subsidies and cheap public-transport tickets, but they've not shored up confidence so far.

Retail sales dropped the most in a year in April, and consumers see reining in inflation as a more urgent task than fighting climate change and social inequality. Only the Ukraine conflict is considered a bigger challenge, the survey showed.

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