Interest in healthy eating and lifestyle Germany 2019-2024

Around 24.26 million people in Germany were especially interested in healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle as of 2024, in a population of roughly 84 million. Figures for this category did not change noticeably during the timeline shown on the graph. In fact, the distribution between the different answers to the corresponding survey remained similar. The Allensbach Market and Advertising Media Analysis (Allensbacher Markt- und Werbeträgeranalyse or AWA in German) determines attitudes, consumer habits and media usage of the population in Germany on a broad statistical basis. 

Food, drink and cigarettes

Despite the availability of constantly expanding information on what consumers can do to stay healthy, everyone’s understanding of this still differs. Personal preferences and circumstances play a role in decision-making and motivation. While most people may indeed want to eat healthy and lead the accompanying lifestyle, they cannot always afford to, literally. Rising food prices in recent years have put a strain on households, with product categories across the board recording significant increases. In fact, to make an example of foods typically associated with healthy eating, vegetable prices increased by around 13.3 percent, while fruit prices grew by roughly 8.2 percent. All the same, a recent survey on health-conscious behavior revealed encouraging results. Around 85 percent of respondents stated they did not smoke, and 78 percent did not drink excessively.

Making a move

With movement and exercise being vital parts of leading a healthy lifestyle, it is interesting to see which types of sports Germans prefer. Based on a survey published in 2024, fitness studios had around 11.3 million members and were in the lead. Other leading types of physical activity pursued included soccer, gymnastics and tennis. These are all activities that require additional spending, as they usually include going to a particular venue and using specific equipment, as well as working with a trainer. There are, of course, “free” types of exercise that contribute positively to leading a healthy life, such as walking and cycling. Both can be a regular part of daily routines and commutes, without extra planning. Especially when it comes to shorter distances, cycling to work, school or university is a popular alternative to using the car or public transport for many Germans.