Survey: Majority of Young People Find Fasting Meaningful - Young Germans Embrace Lent Fasting as a Health Trend in 2026

Lent in 2026 will start on February 18, with many Germans planning to give up alcohol, sweets, and meat. Younger adults appear particularly supportive of the tradition, with 85% of those under 30 seeing fasting as meaningful. New figures also show a rise in approval among this age group over the past year.

A recent survey reveals that 75% of Germans would forgo alcohol during Lent, while 71% would cut out sweets. Meat follows closely, with 52% willing to stop eating it, and 48% considering quitting smoking. Overall, 70% of the population believes fasting benefits health.

Support for fasting has grown among younger people. In 2025, 84% of 18- to 29-year-olds backed the practice, up from 76% in 2024. Among this group, 66% could imagine giving up meat for Lent. The trend is also stronger among educated respondents, with 75% of those holding a university degree viewing fasting as health-conscious.

Half of all Germans have fasted before, and one in two have done so multiple times. However, no detailed data exists on how perceptions of fasting among under-30s have changed compared to older generations over the past five years.

The 2026 Lent period will see many Germans cutting back on alcohol, sweets, and meat. Younger adults show the highest support, with a clear majority seeing fasting as worthwhile. The tradition remains widely viewed as a positive step for health and personal discipline.