Germany's wealth transfers heavily concentrated in west, Destatis says

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.

• Tax authorities assessed €142.5 billion ($161.54 billion) in inherited and gifted assets in western Germany, compared with €8.0 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.

($1 = 0.8821 euros)

(Reporting by Maria MartinezEditing by Ludwig Burger)