Can't remember their own digits? One in three young users can't!
Approximately one-third of individuals cannot recall their own mobile phone number.
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It seems like a head-scratcher, but a survey by digital association Bitkom reveals a whopping one-third of mobile phone owners can't recall their number off the top of their heads! A mere 64% of respondents could rattle off their number, with the number dropping significantly to a paltry 42% among 16-29 year-olds.
Contrast that with the ability to remember the numbers of pals, fam, and acquaintances. The study shows that a hefty 82% of Germans got at least one such number memorized. It's the older bunch (65 and above) who remember the most numbers on average, with an average of four numbers, while the youngest (16-29 year-olds) lag behind, recalling an average of two.
This revelatory survey was conducted by Bitkom, by phone, with 1,004 individuals across Germany aged 16 and above. The survey took place in February and March 2025.
Source: ntv.de, AFP
Now, why is this the case with young adults? Well, as per the enrichment data, it's likely due to their reliance on digital tools for storing and retrieving contacts, which may decrease the need to memorize numbers. The increasing reliance on smartphones and digital apps could also play a role. If you're curious to learn more, diving into Bitkom's official publications or press releases might provide additional insights on this topic.
In particular, the young users' reliance on third-party mobile apps, such as smartphones and gadgets, could be a contributing factor to their inability to remember their own mobile numbers. This trend might be linked to the growing popularity of using these devices to store and retrieve contacts, thus reducing the need to memorize numbers.
