A recent survey conducted by the Freie Universität Berlin (FU) has revealed distinct regional disparities in perceived popularity across Germany’s federal states. The research, published in the “Tagesspiegel” indicates that residents of Berlin currently rank lowest in terms of overall positive sentiment.
The study, part of the “Does Near Equal Dear?” research project at the Otto-Suhr Institute for Political Science, polled 1,630 participants aged 18 to 69, asking them to rate their sympathy for residents of each state. Residents of Hamburg emerged as the most popular, followed by those of Schleswig-Holstein and Baden-Württemberg.
Researchers attribute Berlin’s lower ranking to a combination of factors, including the city’s status as the seat of government and prevailing stereotypes often associated with governmental inefficiency – a perception reinforced by past infrastructure challenges. A general aversion to urban centers also contributes to the sentiment.
The survey data highlights a noticeable East-West divide. Several eastern states, including Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony, placed near the bottom of the popularity ranking.
According to Achim Hildebrandt, a political scientist from the University of Stuttgart, the results reflect more than just objective assessments. “People need a stereotype in mind to answer the question of sympathy” he explained. The FU researchers describe a broader polarization existing within Germany, characterized by differences between eastern and western regions, a distinction between Bavaria and other states and a perceived divide between urban and rural populations. The research was supported by a grant from the UK-based James Madison Charitable Trust.
