Wo steht der Osten? - Eine ökonomische Analyse anhand von Wohlfahrts- und Happinessindikatoren

German media repeatedly discuss the thesis, that residents in East Germany are dissatisfiedwith their life situation in comparison to those in West Germany. Therefore East Germanstend to moan. One intention of this essay is to answer the question, whether the East Germansare in fact dissatisfied with their life situation. Due to empirical evidence the questionposed is to be answered with yes. The second intention is to examine the reasons forthe discontent of residents in East Germany. For this purpose the analysis bases at first onclassical economic indicators like the gros domestic product and the income. Secondlysocio-economic operating figures like the development of life expectancy and the bodysize are considered. Third the social capital of a society as a welfare-affecting factorrounds off the analysis.