Germans' reputation for being thrifty is legendary. But data by World Population Review show that people from 16 other countries actually squirrel away more of their gross household income than the Germans, who on average save 11%. According to a Statista survey on Germans' New Years resolutions for 2026, 52% aim to put more money aside in the upcoming year.

Low-sodium, low-fat, low-carb, gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, organic or raw food: There are plenty of trendy labels out there, but you can also simply improve your eating habits without following a strict diet. Just keep it fresh and colorful. Eating better is a resolution 50% of Germans have for 2026.

Getting more active is another classic New Year's resolution. In Germany, 48% of people polled said they wanted to move more in 2026. Though New Year's resolutions typically fail at a rate of about 80%, with most abandoned by mid-February, roughly one in two German respondents to another poll claim to stick with their resolutions for at least four months.

Though eating healthy food and working out can lead to shedding extra pounds, 37% of the poll respondents made losing weight a goal of its own for 2026. Keeping a journal might help you track your weight loss — "Diet Day 1: I have removed all the bad food from the house. It was delicious."

Another year has gone by and you find yourself cramming in too many dinners and parties at the end of the year in a last-minute attempt to claim that you haven't completely lost touch with your loved ones. But, next year, you'll see each other more often, you promise. That's how Germans feel about it, too — at least the 35% who have it on their list for 2026.

There's a growing body of scientific evidence showing that the internet stimulates the same neurotransmitters as addictive drugs — especially through the microfeedback one gets through social media. Twenty-two percent of Germans plan to put their smartphones down more often in 2026.

Twenty-two percent of the poll's respondents said they aimed to reduce their spending. A few tips: cancel unused subscriptions, avoid impulse buying, borrow items or buy them secondhand, avoid food waste and reduce energy use.

Nineteen percent of Germans polled said they planned to focus on their professional achievements in 2026. If you stick to the resolution, you could add negotiating a better salary to your list of future goals: "Boss, I need a raise — there are three companies after me right now." "Really? Which ones?" "Gas, electric and water."

According to World Population Review, Germany is currently the world's No. 5 beer-drinking country after Botswana, Czechia, Lithuania and Austria. Sixteen percent of Germans said they wanted to drink less alcohol starting in 2026.

In addition to worrying about their health or financial situation, 16% of respondents to the survey want to do more actions to fight pollution and global warming.

Despite the well-known health risks, nearly one in five Germans smoke. Fifteen percent of the people polled said they were planning to try to stop in 2026. As studies have also found that quitting smoking is the most difficult resolution to keep, that might well end up on their list of resolutions again in 2027.

In contrast to the respondents who want to achieve more,14% of Germans aim to find a better work-life balance. While the trend of "quiet quitting" has been widely discussed in recent years, observers are now noting the rise of "job hugging," with employees sticking to their current jobs because of economic uncertainty. Above all, make sure you avoid burnout, and aim for happiness in 2026.