Germany: The Emigrants | European Journal

West German pensioners are moving east; young eastern Germans are moving west. Two decades after unification, age is a more important difference than geographical origin is.Eastern Germany threatens to become disproportionately elderly. Towns like Gorlitz, which were renovated with the aid of funding from the West, are attracting mostly retired people, including from western German states. Their pensions go a lot further there. But the influx of older people cannot compensate for the flight of the young. Because few jobs are available in eastern Germany, many young skilled workers are moving westwards. And many western cities are being rejuvenated as easterners come to study, work, and start families.