Germany inheritances and gifts concentrated in west: Destatis says 95% in 2025
Destatis said taxable inherited and gifted asset transfers in 2025 were 95% in western states, with €142.5 billion assessed in the west versus €8.0 billion in eastern states and Berlin.
BERLIN, Sept 29 (Reuters) — Inheritances and gifts in Germany remained heavily concentrated in the country's western states in 2025, with 95% of taxable asset transfers taking place there, the German statistics office Destatis said on Tuesday. 0 billion in the eastern states and Berlin. The gap was also stark on a per-capita basis. Western states recorded just over €2,100 in taxable inheritances and gifts per resident, more than four times the roughly €500 recorded in eastern states and Berlin.
The eastern states and Berlin accounted for 19% of Germany's population at the end of 2025, but only 5% of the value of taxable wealth transfers. The economy of the former East Germany has transformed since the defunct communist state reunited with the vastly wealthier West Germany in 1990, but more than a generation on it still lags the west in some key areas. com;)