Erbschaften: 95 Prozent des vererbten Vermögens entfällt auf Westdeutschland
Die Vermögensunterschiede zwischen Ost- und Westdeutschland sind auch Jahrzehnte nach der Wiedervereinigung noch groß. Das zeigt auch die offizielle Erbschaftsstatistik.
In the aftermath of German reunification 36 years ago, a significant wealth gap persists between East and West Germany, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office on Tuesday. In 2025, West Germany received 95% of all inheritances and gifts amounting to €142.5 billion, or €142.5 billion, while the eastern states and Berlin accounted for just €8 billion.
Despite comprising nearly one-fifth of the population as of the end of 2025, the eastern regions only received 5% of all taxed wealth transfers. West Germany saw an impressive average transfer of €2,100 per capita, whereas the east saw a mere €500. This disparity is also reflected in the tax levied on such transfers, with the west paying €20.4 billion versus €1 billion in the east.
Sebastian Dullien, scientific director at the IMK, a trade union-affiliated institute for macroeconomics and economic research, noted that these stark differences in inheritances and gifts highlight the significant wealth inequality between Germany's two halves.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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