Eastern Germany's biggest problem explained | DW News

Three decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Eastern Germany has lost lots of its population: almost 2 million people since 1989 to be exact. Overall, the population in the east has dipped to the same level it was in 1905. So is Eastern Germany on the verge of disappearing? Searching for answers, DW's Carl Nasman takes a closer look at Eisenhüttenstadt, a city that has lost more than half of its population.

Follow DW on social media:

[taotao]

How can German governments just abandoned the East Germany? German is the strongest country in EU, why can't they rebuild East Germany? Why can't they build at least the most basic infrastructure like internet?

[ikerav]

“There’s no European region as depopulated as East Germany”, TRIGGERED CASTILIAN NOISES

[wwbdwwbd]

Cities need jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs. Employment is the lifeblood, and everything else will follow. Without jobs, there will be no future. Forget about restoring ice cream parlors or building parks, cities must first attract industry and business. To that end, make sure the basic infrastructure is acceptable and the population is educated.

[vassilialfimov]

Make more technical schools there (Fachhochschule usw). Young people will move in.

[markhall]

This is also happening to many cities in the US rust belt of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York

[Magnetshroom]

If Korean unification happens under South Korean government, it would be the same as East Germany where the people will leave the northern part of Korea to go to the southern part.

[Johnnykgb-nsa]

Why not work in the West, and buy a house in the East ?

[asylumking]

Like the mate with the 2005 camera said 6/10 of industrial jobs, gone, pensions.
Most older easter germans who were adults when the wall fell, are really mad about how things ended up and to be frank, i can inderstand them.

[moot]

IMHO, I doubt those Germany politicians are able imagine economy model other than free market economy. Currently even with the global oversupply economy, the dwindle East Germany city politicians still don't dare to start any other economy model.

[ver]

there are so many turks in east germany, shouldn't worry about population problem that much.

[MartinZanichelli]

2:36 AfD is not far-right. It is a patriotic party that defends their Nation and their traditions.

[Roberto-clbf]

You want ideas for the east Germany? How about not being racist and welcome new comers from every race? That would bring back some life to those cities..

[ulfljung]

Well they made awsome synths and drum machines! Come back to me GDR!

[craigartzner]

"We need a plan!" Like...a 5-year plan, Comrade? Hasn't the former Eastern Bloc learned by now that the central planning is a losing strategy?

[purikurix]

If the ctowns there empty out naturally why stop it?

[douglasschaden]

I know many Americans who have embraced socialism. Let them move to Eisenhuttenstadt.

[joaov.m.oliveira]

Wow... Is it cheap to buy and keep property in this area? I wonder if they have any type of fiscal incentives for people to build and occupate these estates. Cause Detroit was saved by policies like this.

[loftyhume]

They should import some cheap labour and build industries.

[amjadkhan]

Give chance to Indian and see the population

[speakup]

U don't like anyone different in urs east..