- Affordable housing costs important for 71%
- 56% of Germans depend on public transport
- People across Germany have Internet problems at home on average six times a month
Frankfurt am Main. A new representative survey* conducted by DE-CIX ahead of the upcoming Digital Summit organized by the German government reveals what matters to Germans when choosing a home. Whether in the countryside, a village, or a city, 71% consider affordable housing costs to be an important factor when choosing where to live. 62% of respondents value having enough living space such as for hobbies, family, and leisure activities. For 56%, the quality of public transportation determines how livable a locality is. Furthermore, 53% of respondents consider reliable and fast Internet access to be important for where they live, whereas only 46% place importance on enough family doctors in the vicinity. In contrast, adequate parking spaces for cars (33%) and e-charging stations (6%) are deemed less important, according to the survey by DE-CIX, the world's leading Internet Exchange operator.
Affordable housing costs: Moving is an option for 74%
Wars, energy crises, and inflation have made everyday life more expensive. The costs associated with having a home are particularly significant not only for Germans aged 45 to 54 (76%) but also for those aged 16 to 24 (58%), who are at the beginning of their life and career paths. Among those who prioritize affordable housing costs, 74% would be willing to move for a better offer. The same applies to 64% of Germans who value childcare facilities and would pack their moving boxes for more daycare alternatives. And mobility also plays a central role: 68% of city dwellers and 45% of those in rural areas consider public transportation to be important in their place of residence.
Internet problems: Respondents face issues, on average, six times a month
Whether for entertainment (54%), information (50%), or shopping (46%), Germans go online frequently. Additionally, 37% of respondents use the Internet to manage their finances, and 34% for work. Notably, while 41% of participants aged 55 and older handle their banking and financial matters online, this applies to only 25% of those aged 16 to 24. With regard to Internet connectivity, consumers have an average of six reasons to complain each month. 6% of respondents face problems daily, 8% two to three days a week, and 11% each for once a week and every two to three weeks. What’s more, 47% of respondents who value fast and reliable Internet would consider moving for better connectivity.
DE-CIX at the Digital Summit: Sovereign digitalization as a question of infrastructure
"Our survey not only highlights what keeps Germans in their homes but also what motivates them to move," says Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX. "In addition to costs and the attractiveness of the housing offer itself, it is primarily infrastructure issues that are now intertwined with quality of life." With a focus on the importance of infrastructure for sovereign digitalization, Ivanov will discuss these topics at the German government’s Digital Summit in Frankfurt am Main this month. Under the motto "Germany Digital – Innovative. Sovereign. International," more than 1,500 participants from business, science, civil society, and politics will exchange ideas on October 21 and 22 at Kap Europa.
Improving Internet experience: Living and surfing in city and countryside
When asked what needs to happen to improve their Internet experience, the survey respondents who have Internet at their current place of residence present a clear consensus: 44% of consumers see expanded mobile and fiber optic network rollout as a solution. 26% hold the federal government accountable for investment in network infrastructure, while 24% see the states as responsible. Depending on where respondents live, the pressure for action varies: while 24% of city dwellers believe the Internet is not in need of improvement, this view is only held by 15% of users living and surfing in rural areas.
