On October 3rd: East, West, Unity? Five Facts on the Current State of Affairs
Is what belongs together now growing together? Or rather not? 36 years after German reunification, there is much complaining, pondering and speculation. However, some things can be established as fact.
A survey by the German Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship found that 9 out of 10 participants believe there are still significant differences between East and West Germany, 36 years after reunification. Statistics show that the average monthly gross salary in western states was €4,961 in 2025, compared to €4,121 in eastern states.
The east-west wealth gap also persists, with 95% of inherited or gifted wealth in 2024 going to western states, and only 5% to eastern states. Demographic trends also show a divide, with 1.2 million more people moving from east to west than the other way around between 1991 and 2024.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
