A recent survey conducted by the Freie Universität Berlin (FU) has revealed a distinct regional perception divide within Germany, indicating that residents of Berlin are viewed least favorably across the country. The findings, published by the Tagesspiegel, place Berlin at the bottom of a popularity ranking, contrasting sharply with the top-rated Hamburg, followed by residents of Schleswig-Holstein and Baden-Württemberg.
The study, rooted in the research project “Does Near Equal Dear?”, suggests that Berlin’s image is often intertwined with the perception of the city as the nation’s capital, leading to associations with a “failed state” narrative – an image potentially exacerbated by past infrastructure challenges. Researchers also observe a general aversion to large metropolitan areas contributing to this negative portrayal.
Analysis of the data highlights a marked East-West divide, with several eastern German states clustered towards the lower end of the ranking. Sachsen-Anhalt and Sachsen, for instance, occupy the penultimate and third-to-last positions, respectively.
According to political scientist Achim Hildebrandt, based at the University of Stuttgart, the survey reflects more than mere personal opinions; it highlights ingrained stereotypes and projected images. He noted that respondents rely on pre-existing clichés when assessing their sentiment towards residents of different states.
The FU researchers interpret this trend as evidence of a broader societal polarization occurring between different regions, manifesting as distinctions between East and West, Bavaria versus the rest of the country and urban versus rural populations.
The survey, undertaken in September 2024, involved questioning 1,630 participants aged 18 to 69 regarding their perceptions of residents from all 16 German states. The research was supported by a grant from the British James Madison Charitable Trust.