Representatives of Generation Z are set to demonstrate in Frankfurt this weekend, prompting a reflection on how life for young people has evolved over the past two decades. In 2006, the technological landscape was vastly different; the iPhone had not yet been released, and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter were in their infancy, with flip phones and sites like MySpace and StudiVZ dominating the scene. News of global events such as the Java earthquake or the Second Lebanon War reached German youth primarily through newspapers and television broadcasts.
The impact of the climate crisis has become markedly more visible since then. According to the German Weather Service, Frankfurt experienced 24 days with temperatures reaching at least 30 degrees Celsius in 2006. By 2026, that number had doubled to 49 days. Many of the young people planning to protest this weekend were only in kindergarten during 2006, a time when Angela Merkel was in her first term and Germany was governed by a grand coalition.
The economic context of 2006 also differed significantly from today. The German economy grew by nearly three percent that year, and the general public remained largely unaware of the impending financial crisis during the summer World Cup. However, structural issues in the education system were already evident, with PISA studies indicating that educational success in Germany depended heavily on social origin more than in any other school system.
Student activism has a long history in the region. In 2006, the G8 "Turbo-Abi" reform was being implemented in Hesse, and universities were transitioning to the Bachelor-Master system under the Bologna Process. Thousands protested against the introduction of tuition fees by the CDU government led by Minister-President Roland Koch. Despite demonstrations and highway blockades that led to 220 arrests, the state parliament approved fees of 500 euros per semester starting in the winter of 2007/2008. These fees were abolished a year later by a coalition of SPD, Left, and Green parties, though semester contributions covering administrative costs and transit tickets have risen sharply since then, increasing from 259 euros at Goethe University in 2008 to 408 euros recently.
Housing affordability has deteriorated for young people in Frankfurt. In the mid-2000s, the average cold rent for a shared room was approximately 300 euros. Data from the Moses Mendelssohn Institute shows that the median warm rent for such a room rose to around 400 euros in the winter semester of 2013/14 and reached 675 euros by the winter semester of 2025/26. With only 5,600 student dormitory places available for 57,000 students in the 2024/25 winter semester, affordable housing remains scarce.
Wages have not kept pace with these rising costs. In 2006, there was no statutory minimum wage in Germany, and the threshold for marginal employment was 400 euros, which barely covered a room's rent. Today, the minimum wage is 13.90 euros, and the marginal employment threshold stands at 603 euros, yet this amount is insufficient to cover average rents. The current BAföG housing allowance of 380 euros also falls short. According to the Federal Statistical Office, students in Germany now spend an average of 54 percent of their income on housing, compared to roughly a quarter for the general population.
Financial resources available to students have changed over time. In 2006, surveyed students had an average of 770 euros per month, with one-fifth considering their financial situation precarious. By the summer semester of 2021, average monthly income had risen to 1,106 euros, with parents and relatives providing funds for nearly 83 percent of students. While students in their first degree worked an average of seven hours a week in 2006, those surveyed in 2021 worked around 15 hours weekly, though this figure includes second-degree students who tend to work more.
Reliance on state support has also shifted. In the summer of 2006, about a quarter of students received BAföG funding, with fewer than one in ten receiving the maximum rate of 585 euros. By 2021, only about 10 percent of respondents reported receiving BAföG, despite the maximum rate rising to 992 euros. Critics continue to argue that the program fails to reach those who need it most.
The cost of living has increased across various sectors. A 0.4-liter beer in a Frankfurt student pub cost 2.60 euros two decades ago and now costs 3.90 euros. Cinema tickets, which averaged 6.52 euros in 2007, rose to an average of 12.13 euros by 2025. While price increases were moderate between 2006 and 2020, recent years have seen significant spikes, with inflation peaking at 6.8 percent in 2022 and remaining at 5.8 percent in 2023.
The nature of youth anxiety has evolved alongside these economic changes. The 2006 Shell Youth Study found that nearly 70 percent of young people were worried about losing their jobs or failing to find adequate employment, yet half remained optimistic about the future. In contrast, the 2024 study reveals growing concerns regarding politics, society, and the environment. Four out of five respondents expressed fear of war in Europe, while two-thirds worried about the economic situation and rising poverty. Additionally, 60 percent feared increasing hostility between people and xenophobia.
While one-third of young people in 2024 cited fear of unemployment or lack of training positions, rapid advancements in artificial intelligence over the last two years have further complicated career prospects. With a weak economy in 2026, entering the workforce has become more difficult for many. These issues extend beyond Frankfurt; a survey by Infratest dimap for Hessischer Rundfunk indicated that 29 percent of respondents viewed education and training as one of the two most critical problems in Hesse, sharing fears regarding war, climate change, and high living costs.
Sources: FAZ.