A recent survey indicates a growing perception among Germans that East and West Germans remain more divided than united, thirty-five years after reunification. Conducted by Yougov and released this week, the poll reveals that 30% of German citizens believe differences between East and West Germans outweigh shared characteristics. Only 16% feel that commonalities are more prominent. A further 40% perceive a roughly equal balance of differences and similarities, with 13% expressing no firm opinion.
The sentiment is notably stronger in eastern Germany, where 43% feel that the divide between East and West is greater than any shared identity. Only 11% in the eastern states believe that shared aspects prevail. Thirty-eight percent in the East acknowledge a balance of similarities and differences. Meanwhile, only 26% of those residing in the former West German states perceive the differences as dominant. Eighteen percent in western Germany believe commonalities are more significant, while 41% see a roughly equal balance.
Analysis comparing the current findings with data collected in 2019 reveals an escalating perception of division, particularly among citizens in eastern Germany. Five years ago, 27% of respondents nationwide highlighted the factors that separate East and West, a three-percentage-point difference compared to the 30% observed today. In eastern Germany, the figure was 34% in 2019, representing a nine-percentage-point increase. The data in western Germany reflects a one-percentage-point difference from the 2019 results.
The Yougov survey, encompassing responses from 2,057 individuals, was conducted between September 12th and 15th, 2023. A similar survey was carried out between October 1st and 9th, 2019.