Men in Germany – An attempt at explanation

Konrad Wolfenstein

5 years ago

Men in Germany – Image: StockLite|Shutterstock.com

The Federal Republic of Germany has a total population of approximately 82.5 million, of which about 40.7 million are men. Just like women, men consider having good friends and maintaining close relationships to be the most important things in life, followed by commitment to their family and a happy partnership. In a relationship, men find it particularly important that their future partner has a sense of humor, but loyalty and warmth also play a significant role. For three-quarters of men, it is also important that their partner meets their ideal of attractiveness.

On Wolfenstein.EU, under: When is a man a man? How men 'tick', the topic is explored in greater depth.

A relationship is important to around 34 percent of men so they don't feel alone; similarly, about a quarter of men say they want to be in a relationship again quickly after a breakup, and about 32 percent are willing to compromise when choosing a partner rather than searching for a long time. Within a partnership, men show a willingness to change for their partner: more than half of men would cut back on their hobbies, and around 41 percent would change their appearance for the sake of their partner. When a man has found the right woman, he has specific ideas about the marriage proposal: the majority of men believe that the man should propose to the woman and that the proposal should take place in a special location.

In 2016, around 39 percent of men in Germany were married, while approximately 36 percent were single. To end their single status, many search for a potential partner online, have one-night stands, and go on dates. The top three dating killers for men are when their date constantly checks their phone, has a generally negative attitude, or shows no interest. When choosing a partner, men primarily focus on whether they enjoy spending time with the other person, whether they can have good conversations, and whether their overall feeling or intuition is right.

Besides a happy romantic relationship, friends are also a high priority. For men, honesty is paramount in a friendship. The ability to talk about anything and always be there for each other is another key aspect of a good friendship. Family life is also important. According to the 2017 VuMA (Consumer and Media Analysis), around 17 percent of men in Germany have one or two children under the age of 14 living in their household. One of the most important reasons for having children is the opportunity to pass on their own values and beliefs. Furthermore, passing on the family name plays a significant role for almost a quarter of men. In times when traditional gender roles are constantly changing, more and more men are comfortable in their role as stay-at-home dads, taking care of the children, doing the shopping, and managing the household while their wives work full-time. Around 40 percent of men in Germany would describe themselves as family-oriented, and almost a fifth identify as stay-at-home dads.

68% of men consider a happy partnership important, while 26% fear their partner might be unfaithful. 51% of men particularly enjoy going on holiday with their family.

In the time men spend away from their families, friends, or partners, they are primarily interested in sports. The majority of men regularly participate in sports themselves, read sports magazines, or are fans of a Bundesliga football club. They are also interested in local events, travel, and music.

45% of men are interested in attending football matches and 19.2% do DIY work several times a month! 31.9% read magazines several times a week, but 44% of men are not willing to pay for information from the internet.

43.7% of men enjoy trying out new gadgets. And yet, although women have lower incomes—more precisely, they are more strongly represented in the lower net income bracket than men—they are more open to new things. This is also one reason why social media and influencer marketing work better for women. See also: Men and cosmetics

Of the 40.7 million men in Germany, 5.33 million are interested in men's cosmetics. 15.75 million are interested in eau de toilette and perfume, and 41.1% wet shave! The most popular clothing store for men – who would have thought it? – is C&A. Beck's is the most popular beer brand, and 34.5% like to shop online.