# East German identity gaps

> East Germans earn less, own less property, and face fewer opportunities than West Germans.
- Title: East German identity gaps · Dw | Shortify
- Summary: East Germans earn less, own less property, and face fewer opportunities than West Germans. east germany, west germany, wealth gap · reported by Dw.
- Keywords: east germany, west germany, wealth gap, upward mobility, elitenmonitor, deutschland monitor, simson moped, afd, german reunification, news, world, politics
- Source: Dw — https://dw.com/en/german-reunification-how-inequality-is-shaping-a-new-east-german-identity/a-79518541?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: east germany, west germany, wealth gap, upward mobility, elitenmonitor, deutschland monitor, simson moped, afd, german reunification, news, world, politics
## East Germany's wealth gap
Thirty-six years after German reunification, East Germans still earn less on average, receive smaller pensions, and own less property.

> families have not been able to acquire or pass on as much wealth
## Upward mobility challenges
East Germans face fewer opportunities for upward mobility, with two-thirds of respondents believing financial and social mobility depend crucially on wealth, connections, and background.
## Leadership representation
East Germans make up only 12.1% of leadership positions in public and private sectors, down from 10.9% in 2018, with declines in business and cultural sectors.
## Corporate underrepresentation
All executives in the 100 largest German companies and military are from West Germany, with East Germans severely underrepresented in top positions.
## East German identity
East Germans born around the fall of the Berlin Wall did not feel East German for a long time, realizing differences only in school and vocational training.
## Simson moped symbolism
The Simson moped, a symbol of mobility and freedom during the GDR era, is now exploited by AfD candidates for political purposes.
## Economic concerns
Kaiser warns that economic growth in eastern sectors like semiconductors, battery cells, healthcare, biotech, and renewable energy could suffer due to underrepresentation.
## Key takeaway

East Germans earn less, own less property, and face fewer opportunities than West Germans.