Authors: Vera Gohla and Martin Hennicke
Germany is an unequal country both socially and spatially: inequality between north and south, east and west, urban and rural areas and between economically dynamic regions and those affected by structural change remains significant. The regions differ greatly in their structure. These differences have a significant influence on migration flows, income levels and people’s fundamental living conditions and opportunities. In a time of environmental disasters, geopolitical conflicts and economic crises, the resilience of the regions is of particular importance. Here, too, there are clear differences within Germany when it comes to the challenges of the transformation to a climate-neutral economy.
Have the regional differences stabilised or changed in recent years? What barriers need to be removed between the regions? Vera Gohla and Martin Hennicke offer ten political recommendations for action in the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Disparities Report.
About the authors
Vera Gohla is a Policy Advisor for Economic and Structural Policy at the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation. She holds degrees in International Affairs (M.A.) from the Hertie School in Berlin and European Studies and Economics (B.A.) from the University of Osnabrück. Vera has a keen interest in the intersection of industrial policy, regional development, green transition, and the promotion of equal living standards. During her academic and professional journey, she has focused on developing progressive policy solutions to socioeconomic challenges, particularly regarding the welfare state and its political economy. Most recently, she served as the personal advisor to the chairwoman of the German Social Democratic Party.
Martin Hennicke, retired Ministerial Director, was Head of the Political Planning Department in the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia until 2017 and has since worked as a transformation consultant.
