How do Germans spend their free time today?

The 2026 Leisure Monitor has revealed that Germans are spending less time socializing and more time engaging with screens. Back in 1986, watching television dominated leisure activities, with 80% of respondents regularly watching it. However, with the advent of the internet, screen time has skyrocketed. In 2026, 97% of Germans use the internet at least once per week, primarily for listening to music digitally, using social media, and playing video games.

Interestingly, there's been a 15-percentage-point increase in people who now say they spend their free time doing nothing or chilling. Despite this increase in doing nothing, people are also engaging in more activities like visiting amusement parks, museums, and attending concerts compared to 2016. Despite the shift towards screen-based activities, two recent studies suggest a significant impact on society, linking consistent mobile phone and social media use to declining birth rates worldwide.

The data indicate a notable decrease in Germany's birth rate to its lowest level on record in 2025, often attributed to economic and cultural shifts, but studies now suggest that reduced socializing is a significant contributing factor.