Journal Article

Have life expectancies in eastern and western Germany converged since reunification?

Pechholdová, M., Grigoriev, P., Meslé, F., Vallin, J.
Population and Societies, 1–4 (2017)
Open Access

Abstract

After diverging when Germany was divided into two separate states, life expectancies in the two parts of the country have converged since reunification. While eastern men have not fully caught up with their western counterparts, eastern Germany is closing the life expectancy gap thanks to improvements in the health system and changes in individual behaviours.

Keywords: Germany/FRG, Germany/GDR, causes of death, mortality decline
The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It's part of the Max Planck Society, the internationally renowned German research society.