German Survey Shows Rising Trust in Islam Among Young People
German Survey Shows Rising Trust in Islam Among Young People
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A new public opinion survey conducted in Germany has sparked debate after revealing a notable rise in trust in Islam among young adults. The poll, carried out by the Forsa Institute for Stern, RTL, and n-tv, highlights shifting attitudes toward religious and intellectual institutions, particularly within the 18–29 age group.
According to the findings, 17 percent of young respondents said they have “high” or “very high” trust in Islam. This level exceeded trust in the Catholic Church among the same age group, which stood at 13 percent, pointing to a generational divergence in perceptions of religious institutions.
The German newspaper Die Zeit said the results reflect deeper social and religious changes, including declining confidence in traditional churches following years of scandals and internal crises. At the same time, Islam has become more visible in everyday life through schools, universities, and workplaces.
However, analysts cautioned that the survey measures trust rather than religious affiliation. They noted it remains unclear whether the figures indicate growing openness to Islam itself or a broader redefinition by young people of what institutional trust means, alongside declining confidence in established churches.
The survey was conducted between December 3 and 12, 2025, with a representative sample of 4,025 people and a margin of error of approximately ±1.5 percentage points. Observers link the shift to closer daily interaction with Muslims and a clearer distinction between personal faith and religious institutions.
Despite these trends, civil society groups report continued Islamophobia in Germany. The organization CLAIM documented about 3,080 anti-Muslim incidents in 2024, including physical attacks and mosque vandalism. Germany’s anti-discrimination office also reported thousands of complaints, underscoring persistent tensions amid a growing Muslim population of about 5.5 million.
