Germany's vanishing East: How population decline is reshaping politics

More than three decades after German reunification, parts of eastern Germany are facing a new challenge: a shrinking population that is transforming communities, straining local economies, and influencing the country's political landscape.

Towns across the former East Germany continue to grapple with the long-term consequences of reunification. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, many state-owned industries collapsed as they entered a competitive market economy, prompting large numbers of young people to leave for better opportunities in western Germany, acording to BBC. 

Jan-Niklas Hustedt, born just weeks before the Berlin Wall fell, describes himself as a "wendekind"—a child of reunification. Reflecting on his hometown of Oschersleben, he says, "You hear all the stories. Lots of people left because the opportunities were in the west."

Official statistics show that while Germany's overall population has grown through immigration, the five eastern states of the former German Democratic Republic have lost around 16% of their population since reunification. Saxony-Anhalt, home to Oschersleben, has recorded the steepest decline at 26%.

The exodus was especially pronounced among young, educated people and women. Sociologist Katja Salomo explains, "Young people, highly educated people and especially women, were more likely to leave." She argues that many women sought employment in western Germany because opportunities in the east were limited during reunification.

The demographic impact continues today. Fewer young families mean fewer children, leading to the closure of kindergartens in a trend locally referred to as Kitasterben, or "daycare dying."

"There are now [newspaper] articles where kindergartens [say they] need children, which is crazy," says Hustedt.

Having returned to Oschersleben after building a career elsewhere, Hustedt is working to encourage skilled workers and young families to move back.

"It's home," he says. "I like the people. I think they deserve [to do] well."

Germany's demographic challenges extend beyond the east. The country is experiencing low birth rates and an ageing population, placing increasing pressure on the workforce to support growing numbers of retirees. Although immigration has helped offset population decline nationally, newcomers have largely settled in larger cities and western regions rather than rural eastern communities.

Experts also warn that depopulation may be contributing to political change. Research cited by the BBC suggests support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is strongest in areas experiencing population loss and declining public services.

Salomo notes, "Research shows that electoral support for far-right parties, including the AfD, tends to be higher in the regions most affected by population decline."

Population expert Martin Bujard believes governments should focus on helping families balance work and parenthood through better childcare, housing, and financial support.

"Policy should help potential parents realise their hopes," he says.

By Sabina Mammadli