Culture and Demographics of Germany
Throughout Germany's long history as one of the most significant components of the Holy Roman Empire and later as one of the most stable economies in the world, German culture has been molded and impacted. Germany is the most populous country in the EU, with a population of about 83.1 million. The democratic, global nation has grown to be a significant source of immigration. On a global scale, the majority of individuals in Germany have a high quality of living and the necessary freedom to direct their own lives. Germany is ranked fourth out of 189 nations in the 2019 Human Development Index (HDI) released by the UN. Germany tops the scale in the Nation Brands Index2019, an international study on the perception of 50 nations, for the third year in a row and not simply because of its high standards for social justice and quality of life. Germany sees itself as a welfare state whose main responsibility is to safeguard all of its residents.
Multiculturalism and ethnic diversity play a significant role in shaping German society. There are no longer any strict gender roles still assigned. People with disabilities are playing a bigger role in social life as a result of inclusion initiatives.
Day-to-day societal life is evolving as a result of new lifestyle choices and realities. The social acceptance of alternative lifestyles, varied sexual orientations, and social openness are all safeguarded by current legislation. The establishment of "marriage for everyone," which grants homosexual couples equal legal rights, is part of it. The German birth registration now accepts multiple gender designations in addition to male and female. This change took effect at the end of 2018. This promotes intersex individuals' equality.
When a foreigner imagines a typically German, they frequently think of beer, lederhosen, Oktoberfest, and bratwurst. These, however, are cultural symbols exclusive to one state (or principality) in the country's southern region (Bavaria). Such cultural features can be seen in the variations in traditional history, meals, architecture, and celebrations among Germany's regions and towns. Germans occasionally discuss societal distinctions based on regionally specific personality archetypes. For instance, Germans frequently label residents of the southwest as being frugal. In contrast, it's usually believed that Rhinelanders in the west are more relaxed back. Between those who live in cities and people who live in rural areas, there are differences in accents, social views, religious affiliations, traditions, and behaviors. For instance, some of Germany's major cities are well known for their unconventional lifestyles and accepting social norms. They tend to draw immigrants as well as more outspoken Germans. Rural townships, on the other hand, tend to experience less internal movement and adhere to more traditional ways of living. Berlin's capital city stands out for being a cultural anomaly within the nation. The regions around this special hub are very different from it.
Germans typically take great pride in their geographical identities. People frequently display greater patriotism and allegiance to their community than to their country, which is extremely common. Every city and state in Germany has a unique emblem. For both urban and rural areas, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has over 50 coats of arms. Regional flags and coats of arms are frequently more prevalent than the national flag in the general population.
Social Differences from the East to the West
Between the western two-thirds and the remaining eastern third of Germany, there exist some of the most obvious societal divisions. From the end of World War II until 1990, the country was split into two separate nations with different political systems. While East Germany was occupied by the Soviet Union as the German Democratic Republic (GDR/DDR), West Germany was governed under a capitalist system as the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG/BRD). West Germany industrialized and grew more global as it linked with Western Europe and North America. In the meanwhile, a rigid socialist ideology was used to govern East Germany.
1990 saw the reunification of the two nations to form a greater West Germany (FRG). The inner German border that previously divided the East from the West can still be seen in some areas due to the recent unification of Germany; also, the towns that once belonged to the GDR can frequently be identified by the communist architecture that is still present. Temporary separation has also firmly established linguistic differences, which are faintly discernible in the various names given to the same objects. For instance, in the West, the word for plastic is "Plastik", but in the East, it is "Plaste".
Social Stratification
Germans frequently make social distinctions between one another. Those tend to regard people who know and have credentials from higher education, and experience. The social hierarchy typically bases authority on these characteristics. Germans may draw inferences about a person's social rank and circumstances based on their accent, place of origin, and line of work. However, following World War II, class distinctions were essentially abolished. After losing the majority of their assets or being forced to flee their homes, the majority of Germans had to start their lives over. As a result, there are not many severe class divisions in Germany, and the majority of people enjoy the advantages of a robust middle class and a classical education.
People with less privilege exist in every culture, just as some people are unemployed (or underemployed). Recent immigrants and refugees from the Middle East and North Africa also frequently wind up in lower-paying professions. But the prevailing mentality in Germany tends to strive for ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities regardless of their social status. Germany has a low power distance score on Geert Hofstede's cultural dimensions, indicating that there is a general expectation of equality in society (regardless of whether this is the case).
Population Changes
German citizens are divided into two groups: ethnic Germans (those with two parents who have all or mainly German ancestors) and immigrants (Migrationshintergrund). The percentage of the population with a migrant background has reached a peak for the fifth time in recent years, according to the Federal Statistical Office. More than 18.6 million persons, or 22.5% of the population, were of immigrant or partially immigrant ancestry, according to the 2016 micro census. 4 However, it should be remembered that this number includes ethnic German repatriates. The majority of Germans with Migrationshintergrund live in Berlin and the western provinces of Germany. In proportion to the total population, there are fewer immigrants in Germany's east.
In general, Germany has accepted its status as a multi-ethnic (multi-Kulti) nation. Over the past 30 years, there have been some significant population shifts around the country. Approximately 3 million ethnic Germans have migrated back to Germany from former Soviet Union nations since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. Large influxes of immigrants and refugees from other countries, mainly from Eastern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, have also entered the country. Germany is the second-largest source of immigration worldwide. 5 Since 2015, the nation has been a major focal point in Europe's migrant crisis, taking in over a million asylum seekers. The country has been under social and political strain as a result of this migration.