A new survey reveals a growing perception among Germans that regional differences between eastern and western states persist nearly three and a half decades after reunification. The YouGov poll, released this week, indicates that 30% of respondents believe the differences between East and West Germans outweigh shared characteristics. Only 16% feel the opposite, while 40% perceive a roughly even balance between similarities and differences and 13% remain undecided.
The sentiment is significantly more pronounced in eastern states. Forty-three percent of residents in the former East Germany believe the divide between East and West is more substantial than any common ground, contrasted with only 11% holding the view that shared characteristics dominate. Thirty-eight percent feel the differences and similarities are balanced and 8% are unsure.
In contrast, 26% of those residing in the former West Germany feel the distinctions are paramount. Eighteen percent believe shared characteristics are more prevalent and 41% deem the differences and similarities to be roughly equal.
Comparing these findings to data collected in 2019 highlights a concerning trend, particularly within eastern German states. Five years ago, 27% of the German population emphasized the separating factors, a three-percentage-point difference from the current figure. In the East, this represented a nine-percentage-point increase compared to the 34% recorded in 2019. The West saw a marginal one-percentage-point increase, rising from 25% to 26%.
The survey was conducted between September 12th and 15th, 2023, encompassing 2,057 participants and is compared with results from a similar study conducted between October 1st and 9th, 2019.
