The Global Infrastructure Index 2026 by the Global Infrastructure Investor Association (GIIA) and Ipsos shows that two thirds of Germans think their country is currently not doing enough to meet national infrastructure needs.
The Index has run since 2016 as a barometer of global attitudes towards infrastructure delivery, sources of funding and financing, and priority sectors – surveying approximately 20,000 respondents globally each edition.
German levels of satisfaction with infrastructure peaked well above the global average at 51% in 2021. The latest survey results show that this has since halved in the past five years to only 24% of German respondents saying they are satisfied with current national infrastructure provision.
While Germany has traditionally seen strong public sector investment in infrastructure, the majority of respondents favour a range of either privately financed or blended public-private financing models to deliver projects within budget, on time, in an environmentally friendly manor, and to serve the needs of all German communities.
Overall, 62% of respondents say they would be comfortable with companies investing money in German infrastructure if it means it gets tangible results for the country.
When asked in general about which specific infrastructure sectors they would prioritise for investment (from any source), rail continues to be a top priority for German respondents.
This comes amidst separate public discourse on widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s rail system – previously a long-standing source of national pride. The government is currently taking steps to remedy the sector’s performance, including pledging a €100 billion upgrades package.
Outside of rail, transport networks through motorways and local roads saw the biggest jump in prioritisation since Germans we last surveyed in 2024 (+12% and +9%).
This is supported by the consensus among 73% of respondents that repairing existing infrastructure is just as important as building new infrastructure.
The world’s leading infrastructure investors are poised to deploy capital within the country for new infrastructure projects and maintenance to meet this need. GIIA members recently described the country as a “top priority” for prospective investment, with the country ranking second globally in its Pulse Survey for investor sentiment – drawing on members with a combined €860 billion in infrastructure assets under management.
GIIA’s Pulse Survey also indicated an anticipated “renaissance” in public-private-partnerships and growing private sector role in meeting infrastructure and energy security goals.
Jon Phillips, Chief Executive of GIIA, said:
“Germany has long been perceived as a European leader when it comes to engineering, technology, infrastructure, and public services – but the German public believe current delivery is falling short of expectations.
“The encouraging news is that the right policy signals are already creating a stable and transparent environment in which private capital can complement public investment in the country. Measures such as the Infrastructure Special Fund and Germany Fund, alongside reform in the energy sector, can help drive much-needed improvements across transport, energy, and wider infrastructure.
“With public support for private investment, and investors already identifying Germany as a top priority, policymakers have a unique opportunity to work with the market to close this delivery gap and turn ambition into real improvements for everyone.”
The full Global Infrastructure Index 2026 results deck can be found here.