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The promotion of R&D carries the risk that economically strong regions will benefit to a greater extent and that regional disparities will increase by focusing the economy on high technology. However, this is expected to depend on the specific sectoral and technological composition of R&D funding. R&D funding for a bio-based economy in Germany is particularly illustrative for a shift in funding focus from a narrow concept of biotechnology to a broader concept of bioeconomy. Along with this shift, an impact on the spatial distribution of R&D funding is assumed. Against the background of inclusive innovation policy, this study examines the potential of the bioeconomy for a reduction of regional disparities in public R&D funding. Based on a database containing publicly-funded R&D projects in Germany and further regional data, comparative regressions are conducted in order to identify spatial patterns. The results demonstrate distinct funding mechanisms in the different areas of the bioeconomy. The broadening of R&D funding for bio-based activities from the biotechnology vision towards bioresources and bioecology leads to a greater participation of rural and lagging regions which is expected to be the result of the inclusion of more traditional industries as recipients of R&D funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycentric urban regions have been advocated for, and justified as enhancing both economic growth and overall competitiveness while also creating more equitable and balanced metropolitan regions. We examine the role of regional polycentricity in effectuating certain desirable outcomes, specifically enhancing economic productivity and minimizing spatial disparities simultaneously in German urban regions (Großstadtregionen) as a case study. Using econometric analysis of both functional and morphological polycentricity measures, our results indicate that polycentric development can effectively reduce regional disparities in urban regions, but not simultaneously promote economic productivity. These findings confirm previous studies that progress toward one goal hampers progress toward another. Further investigation at a finer scale suggests that the borrowed size effect is essentially a "win-loss" game between peripheries and urban core(s) within the same urban region. Peripheries benefit from the spillovers generated by nearby urban core(s), thereby narrowing regional economic gaps and leading to more equitable regions. However, the gains of the peripheries are canceled out by the losses of the urban cores, and polycentric development has an insignificant overall effect on regional economic productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, German housing prices have increased unprecedentedly. Drawing on quality-adjusted housing price data at the district level, we show that regional fundamentals explain up to two-thirds of between-region and 77 to 87 percent of within-region variation in price growth. Price increases were driven mainly by co-movements in local demand fundamentals, notably population density and skill level. However, we further reveal systematic variation unrelated to fundamentals: overvaluation of top 7 cities, path dependency, and spatial spillovers. We infer that speculation, investor preference for liquid markets, and bounded rationality contributed substantially to the recent housing price boom in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The treatment of ischemic stroke (IS) has changed considerably in recent years. Particularly the advent of mechanical thrombectomy (MTE) has revolutionized the available treatment options. Most patients in developed countries have access to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). However access to MTE remains restricted in some regions despite efforts to increase its availability. We performed an evaluation of national datasets to monitor improvements made in access to revascularization therapies for IS patients in Germany. Methods: We analyzed national datasets on German Diagnosis-Related Groups and structured quality reports by extracting information of patients admitted with stroke with and without IVT and MTE for the period of 2019–2021. Data from 2016 and limited data for 2022 were also included for comparison. Results: Admissions with ischemic stroke declined during the years of the COVID 19 pandemic by 4.5% from 227,258 in 2019 to 216,923 in 2021. IVT rates were stable with 16.3% being treated with IVT in 2019 and 2021. MTE rates continued to increase from 7.1 to 8.4% and the number of MTE centers increased by 14.8% in the same period. Over 87.3% of MTEs were performed in centers with a case volume exceeding 50 cases per year in 2021. The largest increase in the relative share of MTEs was seen in large MTE centers (n ≥ 200). Patient age for MTEs surpassed the age for IVTs in 2019 and the proportion of patients ≥ 80 years receiving MTE continued to increase. The proportion of regions in Germany with poor MTE rates (≤ 4.1%) decreased significantly from 2019 (12.3%) to 2021 (5.3%) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: We found strong evidence that while IVT rates reached a temporary ceiling effect, both the absolute number of and access to MTEs continued to increase in Germany. Regional disparities have become less significant and the majority of MTEs are performed in centers with medium or high case volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the rise of the service economy and the growing attractiveness of large cities have created new social inequalities within countries, which have been seen as a source of resentment for people living in the "places that don't matter". We study spatial inequalities in terms of subjective social status using a measure of the place in the social hierarchy that individuals believe they occupy in France (1999-2017) and Germany (1992-2021) on the basis of data from the International Social Survey Program. In France we find important and persistent inequalities between urban and rural areas, as well as between the capital region and all the other regions, partially mediated by income differences. However, the time trend does not show any consistent increase in the geographical differences in subjective status apart from a possible negative trend in rural areas from 2006 to 2010 and in rural places and the outskirts of large cities after 2013 compared to large cities. In Germany, our analysis shows weak differences in subjective social status between urban and rural areas, but large inequalities between the West and East. While this gap is still relevant today, it has partially decreased over the past decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the background of considerable regional disparities, we test the "discouraged worker" hypothesis, which postulates that poor regional socioeconomic conditions foster students' aspirations for more education, ultimately leading to an extension of their educational careers. Our two dependent variables are (i) whether students aspire to prolong their general school careers or enter vocational training and (ii) whether they in fact prolong their school careers. To that end, we link regional-level data to individual-level data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS). To describe regional conditions adequately, we illustrate geographical patterns in socioeconomic conditions relevant for school-to-work transitions (e.g., labour market conditions and availability of vocational training opportunities). We compare two operationalisations of regional areas: (i) administrative districts and (ii) public transport areas. Our results show that students are more likely to aspire to prolong their general school careers in socioeconomically deprived regions. Moreover, the effects are stronger when school-based vocational training opportunities are scarce. The effects on actual transitions vary according to the school track attended and the availability of educational alternatives in the general school system. Finally, the operationalisation of regions varies regarding effect sizes and corresponding levels of statistical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing research on contextual sources of support for populist parties has revolved around two factors: the unemployment rate and the size of immigrant groups. Conceived as residential characteristics, observation of these factors has been seen to increase support for radical parties in Western European countries. We identify different contextual (non-individual) drivers of support for populist parties in the post-communist Czech Republic (Czechia). Based on a large sample of voters (n = 23,734), we identify the (contextual) effect of economic hardship and demographic decline on support for populist parties. We interpret these results as supporting the theory of regional peripheralization. This peripheralization has been identified to be particularly strong in the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and has widened regional socio-economic disparities in this region. We show how these processes have affected voting behaviour and support for political parties. In a second step, we use a sample from eastern Germany (n = 524) to test whether peripheralization affects support for populist parties in other post-communist regions. The results confirm the hypothesis also in the case of east Germany. Our study contributes to the debate by pointing out a novel mechanism that leads to increased support for radical and moderate populist parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines differences in the school-to-work trajectories (STWT) across time and federal states in Germany. It uses administrative data of school-leavers with at most intermediate-level certificates from 2009, 2011 and 2013. While the chances of a smooth STWT improved by increasingly favourable economic development after 2009, the relative disadvantage of school-leavers with low certificates continued. The probability of a problematic STWT remained unaffected and did not vary according to state differences in subsidized training schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Moderne Staat is the property of Verlag Barbara Budrich GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Spatial mobility is an important means of tackling regional disparities and matching problems in education and labor markets, but it is also a source of individual social inequality as it is associated with higher socio-economic resources and returns; however, there is a paucity of research on the prevalence and predictors of spatial mobility among youth entering vocational education and training (VET). We examine the importance of (a) individual occupational orientations, (b) regional opportunity structures, and (c) social ties for the spatial mobility of youth in this early transition phase using longitudinal data from the German NEPS, which we combined with administrative geospatial data of German districts (NUTS-3). Our results show widespread spatial mobility among students entering the VET system: 16% are mobile within and 22% between regional labor markets. Multinomial logistic regression models show that, in addition to young people's occupational orientations (status aspirations; search duration) and social ties to friends, regional opportunity structures (general unattractiveness; person–environment mismatch) are crucial for youths' spatial mobility. This underscores the importance of spatial mobility given regional disparities to promote youths' access to VET and reduce regional mismatches in the VET market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigrants, or people who are read as such, face unequal participation opportunities. This is mainly due to poor host country language skills, inexperience with and barriers within administrative processes. Especially in cities beyond metropolises, scepticism through inexperience regarding immigration reinforces inequality. Although immigration to smaller cities is increasing, studies regarding this remain scarce. The goal of this paper is to examine spatial-structural conditions of participation opportunities for immigrants in medium-sized cities (MSC) and thus develop a basis for further research to address the particular challenges for immigrants in MSC. Therefore, I question the spatial patterns and characteristics of immigrants’ participation opportunities in MSC. Cluster analysis and mapping methods are used to analyse data relevant to societal participation at the municipal level with reference to immigration. The data refer to MSC in Germany, a country that plays a significant role for immigration in Europe. Six clusters with different levels of participation opportunities emerge. One of the main results are the regional disparities between the former FRG (West Germany) and the former GDR (East Germany) expected under hypothesis 1. Almost all MSC in the former GDR can be assigned to the cluster with the greatest challenges for immigrants’ participation. At the same time, according to hypothesis 2, other regional differences can be identified, which are manifested by political-administrative boundaries, but also extend beyond them. Rural areas do not necessarily offer worse conditions for immigrants’ participation than dense regions. However, the mapping shows two participation ‘belts’ in the southwest between the large cities Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart and in the central northwest between the Ruhr region and Hanover. The two belts contain a large number of strong MSC with good framework conditions for immigrant’s participation. Especially in the ‘arrival’ belt between Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart it covers MSC of widely varying sizes. Hypothesis 3 illustrates how local peculiarities also in the former GDR allow contrary developments and show the importance of further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the mostly young refugees who arrived in Germany around 2015/2016, completing vocational education and training (VET) represents the most promising opportunity for professional and social integration. However, access opportunities to VET are characterized by spatial inequalities: German districts vary considerably according to labour market structure, economic productivity and demographic development, which constitute the supply and demand for training places in the dual VET sector, to which refugees predominantly have access. This paper examines if the transition chances of young refugees aged 18–30 to VET depend on their place of residence. For this, we analysed the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey of Refugees (n = 5216) using multi-level discrete-time event history analysis. On the supply side, higher economic productivity (measured by GDP), a low unemployment rate and a greater number of small versus large businesses in the district are positively associated with refugees' transition chances. On the demand side, an increasing number of school leavers with no school-leaving certificate and of refugees in the district are negatively associated with the respective chances. Our results suggest that spatial characteristics essentially matter for young refugees' training opportunities and thus support recommendations to reform current distribution policies, in which central spatial contextual factors remain largely disregarded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing recognition of the importance of the residential environment for early detection of cancer. However, few studies have investigated area socioeconomic deprivation, social capital, and rurality in combination. Therefore, we aimed to estimate mutually adjusted associations of these characteristics with tumour size at diagnosis in Germany. We included incident cases of female breast cancer, colorectal cancer, malignant melanoma, uterine cancer, and male bladder cancer, collected by the cancer registries of eight German federal states between 2010 and 2014. Using information on T status at diagnosis, we defined an advanced tumour size for each cancer type. Sex‐specific mutually adjusted associations of area socioeconomic deprivation, social capital, and rurality with an advanced tumour size and variance partition coefficients were estimated in multilevel logistic regression. Missing data of the outcome were addressed by multiple imputation. Overall, 386 223 cases were included in this analysis. High area socioeconomic deprivation was associated with an advanced tumour size at diagnosis of colorectal cancer and malignant melanoma. For malignant melanoma, low social capital was associated with an advanced tumour size among females and males, while a rural settlement structure was associated with an advanced tumour size among males only. Since meaningful general contextual effects were found for malignant melanoma, our results underscore that the residential environment is an important predictor of melanoma tumour size. Secondary prevention programmes for this cancer type should target areas with high area socioeconomic deprivation, low social capital, and a rural settlement structure in order to reach those most vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes an explorative approach for analyzing the economic development of German Spatial Planning Regions during and after the Great Recession covering the period from 2007 to 2017. Specifically, we are interested in the relation between the short- and the mid-term resilience of regions and in the role of the underlying economic structure in this regard. For this purpose, we categorize regions by their GDP per capita growth in the resistance and recovery phase and then characterize the resulting region types by their average structural characteristics and track their performance through the renewal and reorientation phase. Our analysis reveals that, in general, larger shares of manufacturing, higher degrees of export orientation and specialization, and lower shares of public sector services are associated with weaker resilience and stronger recovery capacity. In addition, we observe a catch-up effect of regions with at least either an above-average resistance or recovery compared to regions with both weak resistance and slow recovery. However, we do not find a substantial reorientation effect because, in the case of Germany, the advantages of regional economic specialization still outweigh its potential disadvantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to empirically investigate the reasons for regional disparities in educational expansion in Germany (i.e., rising rates of general university entrance qualification) on the basis of theoretically relevant influencing factors: changes in school policies, changes in social structure, or general social modernization processes. We pay special attention to the legal framework of schools, which has changed at different times in the German states. Our analysis is based on data from the National Educational Panel Study and on a database on the development of schooling regulations in the German states after World War II. For the analysis, we use two-way crossed random-effects models. Our analyses show that the modernization of school structures is only associated with increasing individual opportunities to access higher school education. However, this association disappears when controlling for social structure and cohort sequence. Rather, the educational expansion of the recent decades is characterized by a changed social structure and, in small parts, by general social modernization processes. In light of our findings, we argue that educational policy adapts school structures to societal changes, opens up new opportunities, yet at the same time reproduces and exacerbates educational inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that education infrastructure has been a crucial element of the infrastructural power of the welfare state, surprisingly little is known about how spatial disparities in school infrastructure have been governed. While emphasis has recently been placed on the role of numbers in governing the education system, there have been contradictory results on the use of numbers for measuring spatial disparities in schooling on the one hand and on allocating school infrastructure by numbers on the other. What role have indicators played in the governance of regional disparities in education and how can we explain changes to this role? Assuming that indicators typically fulfil two functions in decision making processes (information gathering and allocation of resources), this article develops an ideal–typical distinction between four ways of (not) using numbers for governance purposes. This typology is applied to a historical case study of indicators as a device for governing spatial disparities in education in Germany. Cognitive investments in indicators for observing spatial disparities in education and for administering schools have been made in Germany since the early 19th century. However, conceptual flaws and conservative education policies have kept them from being put to effective practice in school infrastructure policies. It was not until the 1970s that demographic and administrative indicators became institutionalized as part of decentralized but fairly standardized school planning practices. While the use of indicators in the spatial allocation of education resources seemed to work well during periods of educational expansion, this calculative practice produced tension with the civic idea of spatial justice when enrolments declined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In Germany, the debate on economic challenges and strategic orientation is strongly focussed on the industrial sector as the backbone and anchor of the German economy. In relation to the digitalization of the manufacturing industry, the term Industry 4.0 is used. The concept focuses primarily on possibilities for optimizing processes of production and product innovation. It thus aims at incremental rather than disruptive developments. Incremental digital development that enables synergies between existing regional strengths and the potentials of Industry 4.0 bears the danger of increasing rather than reducing regional disparities. The expansion of Industry 4.0 can especially be found in strong industrial centres. Many implementation examples are located in the vicinity of university towns, in regions with high population density as well as high expenditure on research and development by large industrial companies. As a result, there are hardly any shifts between the existing industrial centres and the periphery with its weak industrial base. So far, Industry 4.0 seems to have contributed little to reducing existing regional disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Heart failure (HF) is the most common primary inpatient diagnosis in Germany. We examined temporal trends of HF hospitalization within Germany focusing on regional differences. Methods and results: We analysed aggregated data of more than 320 million hospitalizations in Germany from 2000 to 2017. Temporal trends of HF‐related parameters were analysed, focusing on regional differences between the federal states. The absolute number of HF‐related hospitalizations throughout Germany increased continuously and almost doubled (from 239 694 to 464 724 cases, +94%) with the relative increase being higher in East Germany compared with West Germany (119% vs. 88%). These regional differences persisted after age standardization with 609 and 490 cases per 100 000 population, respectively. The length of stay decreased continuously across Germany (from 14.3 to 10.2 days; −29%), while the total number of HF‐related hospital days increased by 51% in East Germany and 35% in West Germany. In 2017, HF remained the leading cause of in‐hospital death (8.9% of all cases), with a markedly higher rate in East vs. West Germany (65 vs. 43 deaths per 100 000 population). Conclusions: Heart failure remains the most common cause of hospitalization and in‐hospital death throughout Germany. The increase in HF‐related morbidity and mortality was much higher in East Germany compared with West Germany during the observation period. A more detailed understanding of these striking disparities 30 years after the German reunification requires further investigations. There is an urgent need for action with regard to stronger control of risk factors and improvement of both chronic HF management and healthcare structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic and infrastructural developments might compromise medical care provision in rural regions, particularly for acute health conditions. Studying the case of myocardial infarction (MI), we investigated how MI-related mortality at ages 65+ varies between rural and urban regions in Germany and to what extent differences are driven by varying case fatality and disease incidence. The study relies on data containing all hospitalizations, cause-specific deaths and population counts for the total German population between years 2012–2018 and ages 65+. MI-related mortality, MI incidence and case fatality are compared between urban and rural regions in a population-wide analysis. The impacts of changing incidence and case fatality on rural-urban MI-related mortality differences are assessed using a counterfactual approach. Rural regions in Germany show systematically higher MI-related death rates and MI incidence at ages 65+ compared to urban regions. Higher mortality is primarily the result of higher MI incidence in rural regions, while case fatality is largely similar. The rural excess in MI-related death rates would be nullified and 1 out of 6 MI-related deaths in rural regions could be prevented if rural regions in Germany would have at least the median MI incidence of urban regions. MI incidence and not case fatality drives the rural disadvantage in MI-related mortality in Germany. Higher MI incidence points towards potential regional variation in the effectiveness of disease prevention. The findings highlight that improving disease prevention at the patient level carries larger opportunities for reducing regional MI-related mortality inequalities in Germany. • MI-related death rates are systematically higher at ages 65+ in rural regions in Germany compared to urban regions. • Higher MI incidence drives the excess in MI-related death rates in rural regions. • Case fatality of MI is similar in urban and rural regions in Germany. • If rural regions would have at least urban median MI incidence, 1 out of 6 rural MI-related deaths could be prevented. • Primary and secondary prevention have the greatest potential to reduce regional disparities in MI-related mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the impact of foreign migration on regional disparities in population development in Germany by analysing spatial patterns and determinants at the county level for the period of 2007–2017. Counterfactual analyses show that international migration has been the major component of population growth across German regions. However, immigration has mainly been directed towards large cities and highly urbanised areas and has therefore reinforced the existing spatial disparities in population development. Spatial econometric models nonetheless reveal that international migrants are not attracted by agglomeration per se. The location choices of international migrants were mainly driven by existing regional ethnic networks and factors that are related to different personal life stages, such as education or changes in family status. Furthermore, the estimated regional determinants vary strongly across migrant groups from different geographical backgrounds as well as between the external and internal migration of foreigners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Subnational regional mortality inequalities are large and appear to be mostly increasing within industrialized countries, although comparative studies across high-income countries are scarce. Germany is an important country to examine because it continues to experience considerable economic disparities between its federal states, in part resulting from its former division.Methods: We analyse state-level mortality in Germany utilizing data from a newly constructed regional database based on the methodology of the Human Mortality Database. We compare time trends (1991-2015) in the German state-level standard deviation in life expectancy to that of other large, wealthy countries and examine the association between mortality and economic inequalities at the regional level. Finally, using contour-decomposition methods, we investigate the degree to which age patterns of mortality are converging across German federal states.Results: Regional inequalities in life expectancy in Germany are comparatively low internationally, particularly among women, despite high state-level inequalities in economic conditions. These low regional mortality inequalities emerged 5-10 years after reunification. Mortality is converging over most ages between the longest- and shortest-living German state populations and across the former East-West political border, with the exception of an emerging East-West divergence in mortality among working-aged men.Conclusions: The German example shows that large regional economic inequalities are not necessarily paralleled with large regional mortality disparities. Future research should investigate the factors that fostered the emergence of this unusual pattern in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is commonly claimed that the use of numbers and indicators in society is on the rise. Yet, it is still unclear why numbers are used in some social fields but not in others. This paper investigates the specific use of indicators in the policy field of federal spatial planning in Germany. While the use of indicators is very common in this area, the guiding idea of equivalent living conditions has not been operationalized with an agreed on set of indicators nor do particular policy instruments targeting 'unequivalent' living conditions exist. Why is this the case? Drawing on literature about the use of scientific knowledge in politics as well as on social studies of quantification processes, we argue that regular monitoring of regional disparities has increased the political salience of the idea of equivalent living conditions. At the same time, a more systematic formalization of this idea has been hampered, firstly, by the entangled competencies of German federalism and secondly, by the ambiguous idea of equivalent living conditions which has faced competition by the more narrowly defined concept of regional economic development and the related GDP indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 'Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi' is the agent associated with elm yellows and has been categorised in the European Union as a quarantine pathogen. For central and northern European countries, information on the occurrence and distribution of the pathogen and its impact on elms is scarce, so a survey of native elm trees has been conducted in Germany. Results: About 6500 samples from Ulmus minor, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus glabra, were collected nationwide. Phytoplasma detection was performed by applying a universal 16Sr DNA-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay and a novel 'Ca. P. ulmi' specific qPCR assay targeting the 16S–23S spacer region. Both assays revealed that 28% of the samples were infected by 'Ca. P. ulmi', but infection rates of the elm species and regional incidences differed. The phytoplasma presence in the trees was not correlated to disease-specific symptoms. The survey identified a regional disparity of infection which was high in east, south and central Germany, whereas only a few infected sites were found in the western and northern parts of the country. Monitoring the seasonal titre of 'Ca. P. ulmi' in an infected tree by qPCR revealed a high colonisation in all parts of the tree throughout the year. Conclusions: 'Ca. P. ulmi' is widely present in elms in Germany. The rare occurrence of symptoms indicates either a high degree of tolerance in elm populations or a low virulence of pathogen strains enabling high infection rates in a long-living host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic impacts of the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG) are of considerable importance for the discussion of the energy transition in Germany (Energiewende). The Energiewende implies structural changes of the energy system by deploying Renewable Energy (and energy efficiency) Technologies (RET), but it also may induce structural changes for the overall economy, with uneven effects on a sub-national level. North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) is an ideal case to study such regional disparities, since this federal state has scarce per-capita renewable energy sources, whereas it stands out for its energy intensive industry and fossil-fuel based power plants. In order to support renewable energy policies, mostly gross impact assessments of RET deployment have been carried out both on national and regional levels. By definition, such analyses result in positive assessments, since only expansionary effects resulting from additional demand for RET are accounted for. This paper, in contrast, presents a net impact assessment of the EEG on the NRW economy of both expansionary and contractionary effects. The latter consist of negative income effects, increased production costs and, the crowding-out of conventional energy due to the renewable energy financing mechanism (i.e., electricity surcharge), as well as its preferential status for feed-in. Our findings show how North-Rhine Westphalia, with regard to the operation of RET, suffers disproportionally from negative effects in relation to the value addition of its economy in comparison to the rest the country, whereas it benefits marginally from the production of such facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The German educational system is characterized by a large sector of dual vocational training, which facilitates integration into the labour market. This system creates a specific training market for school leavers, which is characterized by strong regional disparities. These differences as well as their consequences have not been systematically analysed in previous research. In a theory-guided analysis this paper examines empirically which structural ‘handicaps’ affect regional transition rates from school to training and how regional training markets may be classified according to these structural factors. To this end, a new method is applied which combines regression and cluster analysis to avoid arbitrariness in the selection of classification variables. It generates a well-interpretable classification of vocational education markets, which is of broad use in research and labour market policy. The method may be applied to solve a broad variety of similar research problems in regional science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the EU2030 strategy for poverty alleviation, this paper provides an assessment on the quality of estimates of poverty and inequality indicators at sub-national level (NUTS2) in Germany and Italy. Given the elaborated survey design of EU-SILC and the complexity of some poverty and inequality indicators that we consider in this paper, we use the Taylor linearization approach to estimate their variance. As a further assessment on the goodness of these estimates, we use a Fay–Herriot model to see in what extent we can obtain estimates with lower mean squared error using small area estimation. Our results reveal high territorial heterogeneity in living conditions across sub-national domains, in particular in some southern regions of Italy and some eastern government regions of Germany. Moreover, results from Fay–Herriot model reveals higher gains in efficiency for the 36 government regions of Germany especially for income-inequality indicators. • we use the Taylor linearization approach to estimate variance in poverty indicators. • we use a Fay–Herriot model to obtain estimates with lower mean squared error. • we map the spatial distribution of poverty indicators at NUTS-2 level. • Our results reveal high territorial heterogeneity across sub-national domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even in industrialized countries like Germany, drinking water quality is a sensitive issue. Despite a generally high level of drinking water safety, contamination events do occur. We address the question whether demographic change may cause a spatial mismatch between installed capacities at the supply side and actual demand by water users, thereby increasing risks of microbiological contamination. Our investigation is based on a quantitative analysis using the largest publically available data-set on drinking water quality in Germany. We found that the number of reported contamination events in areas affected by population decrease was about twice as high as in areas with a stable or growing population. The relative frequency of microbiological contamination was found to be significantly correlated with rapidly depopulating areas. We conclude that in regions with negative population development, a statistically higher risk of microbiological drinking water contamination may coincide with a greater risk of recontamination during a longer passage in the distribution network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The German system of allocating income tax revenues to municipalities is rather complex. Several layers of administration and legislation are involved, thereby hindering easy comprehension of the system. In general, national legislation demands that the funding a municipality receives from the state ( Land ) as a share of income tax revenues (output of the system) should be a fixed proportion of the total income tax yield of each municipality (input to the system). This work presents a nationwide examination of the input/output properties for all municipalities in Germany. Surprisingly, the system operates in two modes: municipalities receive either a large share (high quota) or a small share (low quota) of the input. A nationwide analysis of all municipalities revealed that, in general, municipalities located in eastern Germany receive a low quota of 10% and less. On the other hand, municipalities in western Germany (except some rural municipalities) are usually allocated a relatively high quota of 15% and more of the income taxes per taxpayer paid to the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on regional differences in the quality of medical care in Germany are scarce. This study aimed to compare outcome quality and medical treatment of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes between the federal states of Germany. Methods: 24 928 patients (< 18 years of age) with type 1 diabetes and German residence were selected from the Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation database. Indicators of outcome quality were HbA1C, overweight prevalence, and rate of severe hypoglycemia. To reflect medical treatment, use of insulin pumps and use of rapid-acting or long-acting insulin analogues were analyzed. Logistic regression models were created for binary variables with federal state as independent predictor. Linear regression was applied for HbA1C and Poisson regression for rate of severe hypoglycemia. Confounders: Sex, age, diabetes duration, migratory background. Results: Disparity was observed for indicators of outcome quality between the 16 federal states of Germany (all p < 0.05). After adjustment, HbA1C varied between 55.8 mmol/mol and 67.3 mmol/mol, overweight prevalence between 10.0 and 15.3 %, severe hypoglycemia ranged from 0.06 events/PY to 0.21 events/PY. Overall, the best outcome quality appeared to be present in Saxony. Medical treatment also differed. The percentage of pediatrics on insulin pumps varied between 26.3 and 51.8 %. The use of rapid-acting analogues ranged from 56.6 to 96.2 % and the use of long-acting analogues varied between 41.9 and 96.9 % (all p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Medical treatment and outcome quality in pediatrics with type 1 diabetes differed within Germany. Disparities in individual socioeconomic status, regional deprivation, or differences in medical reimbursement decisions might have contributed to the patterns observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the history of economic policy and regional planning in the state of Bavaria, Germany, since the nineteenth century. The author notes that Bavarian government policy on these issues has been guided by attempts to overcome regional disparities and facilitate social and economic justice. Topics addressed in detail include rural-urban divides and rural-urban migration, the effect of industrialization on Bavarian economy and society, and rural economic development government policies.

The article discusses aspects of the perceptions concerning the cultural characteristics between Turkish and German societies. It highlights the social background of one's mentality and personal experiences of a man's life. It also emphasizes the impact on the increase in social disparities in Germany as well as the distinctive lifestyle in Turkey.

In Germany, continuing education (CE) is, to a large extent, controlled by municipalities ("Kommunen"). Municipalities have published an increasing number of education reports in recent years. These are intended as steering instruments for local education policy. Given that municipalities and the districts they represent differ in their structures, different challenges and opportunities associated with CE emerge. So far, it remains unclear which aspects of CE are considered by different types of municipalities in their reports and which steering potentials are seen. Based on a content analysis, we present findings on reported topics of CE, the extent of data usage, and derived recommendations for local governance. We separated four district types, showing different degrees of the dimension urban–rural. Although cities published education reports more frequently, rural districts were more likely to address CE issues. However, they had less data available, resulting in a lower range of topics and narrow overall opportunities for addressing CE. Therefore, improvement of data and accessibility of data are important to enhance the monitoring and governance of CE in municipalities. Regarding the reviewed recommendations, clear differences between district types emerged. For instance, expanding offers of CE for immigrants was mainly an issue of large cities, whereas rural districts emphasized the spatial and digital accessibility of offerings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a conference on socioeconomic change in Germany from the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s, held in Augsburg, Germany, from March 7-8, 2013. Topics of discussion included economic policy, rural-urban differences and regional disparities, and the role of small and medium-sized businesses.

The article discusses the social and political implications of debates about demographic change and internal migration from rural to urban areas in Germany. The author points out that the idea of a depopulation of rural areas, which is frequently mentioned in such debates, is not borne out by demographic and economic statistics. Other aspects of the subject addressed include modernization in rural areas, regional economic disparities, and the representation of rural and exurban areas in the mass media.

This paper focuses on the infrastructural dimension of the development of peripheral rural regions in North Eastern Germany. Taking the region Uecker-Randow (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) as an example, we show that peripheral rural regions are not only confronted with economic decline and demographic change but also with a significant degradation of infrastructure supply. Limited access to technical and social infrastructures amplifies existing regional disparities and contributes to processes of “peripherization” of rural regions. “Peripherization” means a dynamic process of regional socioeconomic decline and demographic shrinking and is connected with limited options for regions and its inhabitants. The emergence of “peripherised regions” challenges the political aim of equivalent living conditions in Germany and the ideal of standardised infrastructure supply in all parts of the country. Therefore, coping with infrastructural problems will shape the future development of the Uecker-Randow region. English Title: Infrastructural Peripherization–The example of the Uecker-Randow region (Germany) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Niebuhr A., Granato N., Haas A. and Hamann S. Does labour mobility reduce disparities between regional labour markets in Germany?, Regional Studies. Differences in regional labour market conditions are still pronounced in Germany, especially between the Eastern and Western parts. Traditional neoclassical models imply that labour mobility should reduce such disparities. In contrast, models that include externalities or selective migration suggest that regional differences may well increase due to the interregional migration of workers. The impact of labour mobility on regional disparities in Germany between 1995 and 2005 is investigated. Considering migration as well as commuting, effects on regional wages and unemployment are estimated. The results suggest that labour mobility tends to reduce disparities; however, significant effects on unemployment disparities only are found. Niebuhr A., Granato N., Haas A. and Hamann S. 劳动力移动性是否减少了德国劳动力市场的差异？区域研究。 在德国区域劳动力市场间，尤其是东西部之间，仍然存在差异。传统新古典主义模型表明，劳动力的移动性应该会减少上述差异。而包含了外部性以及选择性移民的模型指出，区域差异可能会由于区域间移民或工人而增加。我们考察了1995－2005年间劳动力移动性对于德国区域差异的影响。在考虑移民以及通勤基础上，我们对于区域工资以及失业的作用都进行了评估。结果表明，劳动力移动性倾向于减少差异，但是却唯独加剧了失业差异。 区域差异 移民 通勤 德国 Niebuhr A., Granato N., Haas A. et Hamann S. La mobilité du travail, est-ce qu'elle réduit les écarts entre les marchés du travail régionaux en Allemagne. Regional Studies. Les différences des conditions des marchés du travail régionaux restent marqués en Allemagne, surtout à l'est du pays par rapport à l'ouest. Les modèles néoclassiques types laissent supposer que la mobilité du travail devrait réduire de tels écarts. Par contraste, les modèles qui incluent les effets externes ou la migration tendancieuse laissent supposer que les écarts régionaux pourraient se creuser à cause de la migration interrégionale des travailleurs. On examine l'impact de la mobilité du travail sur les écarts régionaux en Allemagne entre 1995 et 2005. En tenant compte de la migration ainsi que des trajets quotidiens pour se rendre au travail, on en évalue l'impact sur les salaires régionaux et le chômage. Les résultats laissent supposer que la mobilité du travail à tendance à réduire les écarts. Cependant, il ne s'avère importants effets que sur les écarts du chômage. Écarts régionaux Migration Trajets quotidiens pour se rendre au travail Allemagne Niebuhr A., Granato N., Haas A. und Hamann S. Verringern sich durch eine Mobilität der Arbeitnehmer die Disparitäten zwischen den regionalen Arbeitsmärkten in Deutschland?, Regional Studies. Die Unterschiede zwischen den Bedingungen auf den regionalen Arbeitsmärkten sind in Deutschland nach wie vor ausgeprägt, insbesondere bei einem Vergleich zwischen Ost und West. Bei den traditionellen neoklassischen Modellen wird implizit vorausgesetzt, dass sich solche Disparitäten durch eine Mobilität der Arbeitnehmer verringern sollte. Demgegenüber lassen Modelle, in denen Externalitäten oder eine selektive Migration berücksichtigt werden, darauf schließen, dass sich die regionalen Unterschiede durch eine interregionale Migration der Arbeitnehmer sogar noch verstärken können. Wir untersuchen die Auswirkung einer Mobilität der Arbeitnehmer auf die regionalen Disparitäten in Deutschland im Zeitraum von 1995 bis 2005. Unter Berücksichtigung von Migration und Berufspendlern werden die Auswirkungen auf das Lohnniveau und die Arbeitslosigkeit in den Regionen geschätzt. Aus den Ergebnissen geht hervor, dass eine Mobilität der Arbeitnehmer die Disparitäten tendenziell verringert; signifikante Auswirkungen werden jedoch nur im Bereich der Disparität der Arbeitslosigkeit festgestellt. Regionale Disparitäten Migration Berufspendlerverkehr Deutschland Niebuhr A., Granato N., Haas A. y Hamann S. ¿Reduce la movilidad laboral las desigualdades entre los mercados laborales regionales en Alemania?, Regional Studies. Las diferencias entre las condiciones de los mercados laborales regionales son todavía muy pronunciadas en Alemania, especialmente entre el este y el oeste. Con los modelos neoclásicos tradicionales se supone que la movilidad laboral debería reducir tales desigualdades. Sin embargo, los modelos que incluyen factores externos o migración selectiva indican que las diferencias regionales bien podrían aumentar debido a la migración interregional de los trabajadores. Aquí analizamos el efecto de la movilidad laboral en las desigualdades regionales en Alemania entre 1995 y 2005. Teniendo en cuenta la migración así como los desplazamientos al trabajo, calculamos los efectos en los salarios y el desempleo regionales. Los resultados indican que la movilidad laboral tiende a reducir las desigualdades, sin embargo, observamos solamente efectos significativos en las desigualdades de desempleo. Desigualdades regionales Migración Desplazamientos al trabajo Alemania [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article outlines the increase in regional demographic and economic disparities in Germany and the UK. The argument is brought forward that the increasing differences in demographic and economic conditions are both a result of demographic processes that are largely shaped by internal and international mobility. On the basis of the Eurostat regional population forecast and Eurostat regional population data, the paper explores historical and projected interregional differences in population growth, population size and age structure. The article complements the results derived from the demographic analysis by examining recent trends of disparities in regional gross domestic product per capita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the impact of industry specific regional specialization on employment growth in German planning regions between 1998 and 2007. The paper investigates Germany as a whole as well as Western and Eastern Germany separately. By using a shift-share regression approach the paper provides new findings about the existence of industry-specific localization advantages. The results show that inverse localization advantages play a major role in explaining regional disparities in Germany. This involves a process of deconcentration of economic activity. In addition, differences between Eastern and Western Germany can also be identified. Resumen Este artículo analiza el impacto de la especialización regional específica por industrias sobre el crecimiento del empleo en las regiones de planificación alemanas entre 1998 y 2007. El artículo estudia Alemania en su totalidad, así como Alemania Occidental y Oriental por separado. Mediante la utilización de un enfoque de regresión shift-share, el artículo aporta nuevos resultados acerca de la existencia de ventajas de localización específicas por industria Los resultados muestran que las ventajas de localización inversa tienen un papel clave a la hora de explicar las disparidades regionales en Alemania. Esto implica un proceso de desconcentración de la actividad económica. Además, también se pueden identificar diferencias entra Alemania Occidental y Alemania Oriental. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Regional administrations present themselves in many different ways on the internet. A content analysis of regional websites in the Netherlands and Northwest Germany revealed this diversity. Geographical factors can partly explain these differences. Mapping the five principal aspects of the geographical representations of regional administrations revealed some spatial clusters. These regional representations are also linked to the geographical characteristics of regions. Competitive mid-sized regions focus more on economic items. Different types of peripheries vary much more in how they present themselves on the internet. The way regions present themselves is linked to the polarising influence of regional competition, but there is still considerable freedom for regions to present a distinct region image. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we investigate the determinants of entrepreneurial activity in a cross section of German regions for the period 1998–2005. Departing from the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship, the focus of our analysis is on the role of the regional environment and, in particular, knowledge and cultural diversity. Our main hypothesis is that both, knowledge and diversity, have a positive impact on new firm formation. As the determinants of regional firm birth rates might differ considerably with respect to the necessary technology and knowledge input, we consider start-ups at different technology levels. The regression results indicate that regions with a high level of knowledge provide more opportunities for entrepreneurship than other regions. Moreover, while sectoral diversity tends to dampen new firm foundation, cultural diversity has a positive impact on technology oriented start-ups. This suggests that the diversity of people is more conducive to entrepreneurship than the diversity of firms. Thus, regions characterized by a high level of knowledge and cultural diversity form an ideal breeding ground for technology oriented start-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses nonparametric techniques to study GDP convergence across German labor market regions and counties during the period 1992–2004. The main result is that regional convergence in unified Germany has been substantial. In the first years after German unification the distribution of GDP has been characterized by a pronounced bimodality. The dispersion of the GDP distribution has become substantially smaller over time. Although some bimodality remains in most recent years, this bimodality is weak in comparison to previous years. Nevertheless, disparities among regions located in the Eastern and Western part of the country are still apparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at the linkage between crisis and suicide in Weimar, Germany, focusing on the 1920s through 1940s. The author compares the suicide rates of Great Britain, the U.S., and France to that of Germany in 1932. A contextual analysis of suicide notes is presented. The mass media culture of Germany is considered, noting that tabloids had become politicized and focused on scandal within the Nazi party. The criticism of modern individualism promoted by the Nazis focused on the destruction of social bonds.

What happens when governments that have benefited from 'solidarity' programs to redistribute money from richer to poorer states are faced with the prospect of being redefined as a 'richer state' themselves? After communism, such a situation has confronted the traditionally poorer states of Western Germany and the traditionally poorer nations of the European Union. Yet funding was far more generous in the East German case than in the Central and Eastern European case. Why? The strong institutional positions of the traditionally poorer states meant, in both cases, that the key factors shaping the outcomes were the electoral exposure of the respective central governments and the presence or absence of hard budget constraints on that political centre. High exposure and low constraint marked the German case while low exposure and high constraint characterized the EU case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of International Migration & Integration is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Frick J. R. and Goebel J. Regional income stratification in unified Germany using a Gini decomposition approach, Regional Studies. Using representative micro data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP), this paper delivers new insights into the development of income inequality and regional stratification in Germany after unification. This paper applies a new method for detecting social stratification by a decomposition of the Gini index that yields the obligatory between- and within-group components as well as an 'overlapping' index for the different sub-populations. It is found that East Germany is still a stratum on its own when using post-government income, but since 2001 no longer is when using pre-government income. These results remain stable when using alternatively defined regional classifications... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Germany, processes can be observed that have long been out of keeping with the principle of equality of opportunity. Unemployment is concentrated in the structurally weak peripheral areas, in Eastern Germany in particular; emigration of young and better-educated people to the West is not diminishing, but contrary to expectation is again on the increase; aging processes have set in already, and when it comes to the provision of infrastructure, e.g. in the field of professional training, some regions are already suffering from considerable problems. These difficulties are frequently interpreted as differences between East and West and are explained away as problems resulting from reunification, such as the deindustrialization and restructuring of the economy and the enormous decline in the birth rate in Eastern Germany. Although these problems cannot just be attributed to social transformation and the birth rate crisis alone, being subject to more general processes of intensified globalization and the aging of society, the increasing regional disparities are rarely considered in the overall context of regional development patterns throughout Germany. Moreover, the difficulty of even obtaining data for purposes of comparison generally means that an international yardstick is lacking when regional developments are analyzed. The present study investigates regional disparities over a period of time in the light of subjective and objective indicators of the quality of life for individuals. To this end, we make use of data from the Wohlfahrtssurvey [Welfare Survey] from 1978 to 2001, among other sources. On the basis of the Euromodule that has been established at the WZB, we compare current regional patterns in Germany with those in other European countries. This approach makes it possible to provide information on the scale of regional disparities in various different countries, and to identify privileged and handicapped regions with reference to standards of living and the sense of wellbeing. The study’s findings show that, in the past 25 years, welfare in Western Germany has evened out at a higher level, but currently a trend towards increasing economic disparity is discernible. In comparison with other European countries, on the other hand, the differences (regional differences) within Germany are comparatively slight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sozialer Fortschritt is the property of Duncker & Humblot GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)