After World War II ended, Germany was divided into two regions with many differences in life, culture, and education. The differences between East Germany and West Germany have many interesting points that just a few people know about when considering the option of studying abroad, settling down, working, or traveling here. Let's find out with us if there is anything different between these two regions of Germany.

Why is there a division between East Germany and West Germany?

The Cold War was over, leaving the defeat of Germany behind with a four-zone split by the allied countries. The eastern part of Germany and eastern of Berlin belonged to the Soviet Union, whilst the western part of Germany, and west of Berlin, belonged to England, France, and the United States.

In the following years, Berlin, the capital of Germany, became the center of the war between the two sides, and the Cold War between East Germany and West Germany began in many ways. The Cold War crisis was most intense until 1948 when the Berlin blockade of the Soviet Union took place. Since then, the differences between East and West Germany have become greater and more frequent.

As the war intensified, people in East Germany began to migrate to West Germany for a better life. On August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall was erected by the East German government to prevent the flow of people from crossing the border.

The differences between East Germany and West Germany still exist today

Twenty-eight years later, the Berlin Wall collapsed and the Cold War gradually cooled down. Free elections took place on March 18, 1990, in the German Democratic Republic, which brought negotiations to East Germany and West Germany for Germany’s reunification. On October 3, 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany was born under the unification of East Germany and West Germany.

Germany was established under the unification of the two sides, but having experienced a long history with the rule of two different regimes. Basically, the differences between East Germany and West Germany still exist today. What are the differences between these two regions of Germany? Find out the interesting ones if you want to study or work here.

Differences between East Germany and West Germany

In facilities

Cities in West Germany are more developed than in East Germany in many ways. From a vibrant economy and a dynamic pace of life to many modern facilities. Typical cities are Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Mainz, etc.

Cities in West Germany are more developed than in East Germany

As a result of the Cold War-era allied policy, East Germany was much inferior to West Germany in many aspects such as the potential and the quality of life. After reunification, the German government introduced many priority measures to develop East Germany.

In living standards and people

Influenced by the thoughts from the war, the German people always think about the era of the equal democratic republic of Germany when everyone had food, clothing, and education. The people of West Germany have a different opinion. They think that they have to take responsibility for the people of East Germany. Some even have a discriminatory attitude towards the people of East Germany.

Germany's economy is also unevenly developing between the two regions, with GDP per capita in East Germany estimated to be only about 67% that of West Germany. The unemployment rate in East Germany is also nearly 4% higher than in West Germany.

The living standards and average wages of East Germans are also much lower than those of West Germany, only about a quarter of that of West Germany. The differences between East Germany and West Germany also appear in the way they treat foreigners. East Germans are often more strict and less open to foreigners than West Germans.

West Germans are more open to foreigners than East ones

In education

The quality of education in East Germany is more uniform and better than in West Germany.

West Germany is known as a dynamic economic region with job opportunities and high wages. However, East Germany is famous for its highly invested education. The quality of education in East Germany is more uniform and better than in West Germany. From kindergarten system to primary school, from primary school to high school, and from high school to university, all are prestigious ones.

Universities in East Germany do not have too many students, which is also a great opportunity for you to focus on your studies and experience high-quality teaching. Compared to the dynamic and bustling West Germany, East Germany is somewhat quieter, so the cost of living here is also quite affordable.

You can consider studying anywhere in Germany

In case you want to study in Germany and then return to contribute to your homeland, you should choose East Germany because you will experience a good quality education environment, and save a lot of costs.

Today, the East-West gap is no longer so important to the younger generations’ minds. Therefore, you can choose to study anywhere in Germany. The education system in Germany is very equal between universities in the two regions. Hopefully, some of the above information will help you in your study or work in Germany.

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