Germany's Great Conflict Atlas 2019
Anyone glancing at "Germany's Great Dispute Atlas 2019" might think the inhabitants of the Federal Republic are stubborn or even defiant. Because when it comes to their own rights, they demonstrate enormous passion and extreme perseverance.
Giovanni Liverani, CEO of Generali Deutschland AG, says : “With the Dispute Atlas, we present a detailed analysis of dispute behavior in Germany. Through its publication, we aim to raise public awareness of the increasing risk of becoming involved in legal disputes in everyday life. Furthermore, the atlas highlights how, for example, the costs and duration of disputes are developing and why dispute prevention should be in everyone's interest.”
"Germany's Great Dispute Atlas 2019" uses figures and facts to document how disputes are handled in Germany. This large-scale study, conducted every two years by Generali Germany based on data from its legal expenses insurer Advocard , offers fascinating insights into the culture of disputes across the country.
“Since our first dispute atlas, we have analyzed over 2 million disputes in Germany. This unique database allows us valuable insights: We observe that people are arguing with each other more frequently and intensely – especially in the private sphere, which offers many opportunities for this ,” says Peter Stahl, spokesperson for the board of Advocard, the legal expenses insurer of Generali in Germany .
Arguments cost time, money, and nerves
Almost half of all disputes (48 percent) last twelve months or longer. Compared to the last Dispute Atlas in 2017, there has been an increase of 4.5 percent in protracted disputes. This is largely due to the length of court proceedings, which can take longer because of the many parties involved and legal options available, such as going through multiple instances. These options are also being used more and more frequently.
What drags on becomes, above all, expensive. In one out of every ten disputes, the amount in controversy exceeds €10,000. Compared to the previous dispute atlas, this represents an increase of 2.8 percent, while disputes with low amounts in controversy (up to €2,000) have decreased the most (-3.1 percent). "In our experience, legal costs can be many times the actual amount in controversy. Therefore, it makes sense to aim for an amicable settlement as early as possible – sometimes it even works to involve a neutral person as a mediator and quickly resolve disputes ," says Peter Stahl .
Riots and mayhem in northern and western German states
In a comparison of the German states, the most prone to conflict reside in the north and west of the country, contributing to an average of 24.7 disputes per 100 inhabitants. The city-states of Berlin (29.2) and Hamburg (28.8) are particularly contentious, consistently occupying the top two spots since the survey began. While Berliners have become somewhat calmer compared to 2016 (31.2), they remain at the top of the list. Peter Stahl offers an explanation: "A large population in a relatively small area increases the likelihood of conflicts arising."
This may also explain why the atmosphere is more heated in North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state (28.2). In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the state with the lowest population density, the intensity of conflict is considerably lower (23.8).2
Arguments cost time, money, and nerves
Almost half of all disputes (48 percent) last twelve months or longer. Compared to the last Dispute Atlas in 2017, there has been an increase of 4.5 percent in protracted disputes. This is largely due to the length of court proceedings, which can take longer because of the many parties involved and legal options available, such as going through multiple instances. These options are also being used more and more frequently.
What drags on becomes, above all, expensive. In one out of every ten disputes, the amount in controversy exceeds €10,000. Compared to the previous dispute atlas, this represents an increase of 2.8 percent, while disputes with low amounts in controversy (up to €2,000) have decreased the most (-3.1 percent). "In our experience, legal costs can be many times the actual amount in controversy. Therefore, it makes sense to aim for an amicable settlement as early as possible – sometimes it even works to involve a neutral person as a mediator and quickly resolve disputes ," says Peter Stahl .
Riots and mayhem in northern and western German states
In a comparison of the German states, the most prone to conflict reside in the north and west of the country, contributing to an average of 24.7 disputes per 100 inhabitants. The city-states of Berlin (29.2) and Hamburg (28.8) are particularly contentious, consistently occupying the top two spots since the survey began. While Berliners have become somewhat calmer compared to 2016 (31.2), they remain at the top of the list. Peter Stahl offers an explanation: "A large population in a relatively small area increases the likelihood of conflicts arising."
This may also explain why the atmosphere is more heated in North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state (28.2). In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the state with the lowest population density, the intensity of conflict is considerably lower (23.8).2
Men – the argumentative sex
In general, nearly two-thirds of all disputes are initiated by men (66.5 percent), while women appear to be the gentler sex, being involved in conflicts in only 33.5 percent of cases. However, the triggers for these disputes differ: Men's anger boils over more quickly when it comes to traffic and mobility. Here, one in three men (32.8 percent) argues. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to be involved in disputes concerning private and criminal law (40.0 percent vs. 37.6 percent of men). "This may also reflect the stereotype that women take the lead in personal matters, while men tend to focus more on cars ," says Peter Stahl . However, anger dissipates more quickly for women: More than one in five disputes (21.5 percent) are resolved within three months, while men need a little more time.
Conflict and discord – a question of age?
People in midlife seem to be particularly argumentative: Statistically speaking, those between the ages of 46 and 55 argue most frequently (27.5 percent of all disputes). However, the proportion of younger quarrelers is also increasing significantly overall: Ten years ago (2009), young adults under 36 were responsible for only 13.9 percent of all disputes – today, that figure has risen to 23.7 percent.
Source: ADVOCARD Legal Protection Insurance AG,
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22297 Hamburg
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