Southwestern regions consistently outpace eastern areas by around four years in terms of men's life expectancy.
In a recent analysis, Pavel Grigoriev, head of the Mortality Research Group at the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), highlighted the significant disparity in life expectancy between Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt. Men in Baden-Württemberg live on average about 4 years longer than those in Saxony-Anhalt, with life expectancy at birth standing at approximately 80 years and 75.5 years, respectively [1].
This divide reflects broader patterns across Germany, with southwestern states generally having higher life expectancy compared to eastern states. Essential contributing factors include:
- Economic conditions: Baden-Württemberg boasts a more robust economy, with higher average income levels and better employment opportunities. In contrast, Saxony-Anhalt, part of the former East Germany, continues to face economic challenges linked to the post-reunification structural transition [1].
- Healthcare access and quality: Healthcare infrastructure and medical care quality tend to be superior in Baden-Württemberg, supporting longer life expectancy.
- Lifestyle and health behaviors: Differences in lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption patterns also contribute, with unhealthy behaviors more prevalent in eastern states.
- Historical and social context: The legacy of East Germany's health system and the social stressors from economic transitions affect health outcomes in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Environmental factors: Differences in pollution and living environments may also play a role but are less documented specifically for these two states.
Data show that these regional disparities in life expectancy remain steady and are not expected to change significantly in the near future [1][2]. Baden-Württemberg’s combination of a stronger economic base, better overall health resources, and healthier lifestyles largely explains why life expectancy is higher than in Saxony-Anhalt.
This east-west divide within Germany is a multifaceted issue tied to socioeconomic development, healthcare quality, lifestyle, and historical regional disparities. Janina Böttger, a member of the Left Bundestag from Saxony-Anhalt, criticized this inequality, stating it is politically unacceptable [3]. The state, particularly in disadvantaged regions, bears the responsibility to ensure social balance, and where one lives should not determine life expectancy and opportunities, Böttger argued.
References:
[1] Grigoriev, P. (2023). Regional differences in life expectancy in Germany: An analysis. Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB).
[2] Federal Statistical Office (2024). Life expectancy at birth in Germany by federal state.
[3] Böttger, J. (2023, March 1). Equal opportunities for all—closing the life expectancy gap. Speech at the Bundestag.
- The superior healthcare access and quality in Baden-Württemberg, as part of the health-and-wellness landscape, significantly contributes to the higher life expectancy observed compared to Saxony-Anhalt.
- As Janina Böttger, a member of the Left Bundestag from Saxony-Anhalt, suggested, it is politically unacceptable that life expectancy and opportunities should be influenced by where one lives, which can be linked to broader issues in health-and-wellness within disadvantaged regions.
