“Now grows together what belongs together” – the famous phrase that once symbolized German reunification. Yet more than three decades later, enthusiasm in Bavaria appears muted.
According to the annual “Heimatindex” survey by the Bavarian Cooperative Association (GVB), 48.7% of Bavarians see no reason to celebrate reunification, while 43.2% do.
GVB president Stefan Müller summed it up: “Even after 35 years, there is still work to be done on the path to a truly united Germany.”
Distance matters: East vs. South perspectives
Regional differences are clear. In the Upper Palatinate, 53.6% said reunification gave them no cause to celebrate, while in Lower Bavaria and Swabia just over half shared that view.
By contrast, in Franconia – closer to the former inner-German border – opinions were noticeably more positive.
“Geographic proximity seems to play a role,” Müller explained. “The closer people live to the former divide, the stronger the sense of shared unity.”
Satisfaction still higher in Bavaria – but outlook darkens
Despite muted feelings toward the national holiday, Bavaria still ranks high in overall life satisfaction. The state scored 67 points on the Heimatindex, down from 71 in 2024 but still above the German average of 62.
However, optimism is waning:
- Only 11.5% of Bavarians expect their financial situation to improve over the next two years.
- 37% fear it will worsen.
By contrast, residents in the other 15 German states reported a slight increase in overall satisfaction compared to the previous year.
Müller, himself a former CSU state secretary, warned: “Bavaria cannot rest on past successes. The state must work actively to secure its future prosperity.”
The survey polled 3,000 Bavarians and 10,000 participants nationwide between August and September 2025.
