Assessing the family-friendliness in a rural region in East Germany to explain the migration of the population

Many areas in East Germany are facing the problem of vast internal migration of population to western federal states resulting in one of the lowest birth rates in the EU. The object of the presented study was to assess and evaluate the status quo of family related structures in a rural area. Data used in this study was obtained through a survey questionnaire. Study participants were the region's majors, entrepreneurs, and graduates. These groups represent relevant players of politics, economy, and society. The data set included approximately 400 participants. The results indicate that participants attach importance to different aspects. What worth noting is the conflicting evaluation regarding costs and capacities e.g. of child care and persons in need of nursing care. While only 2% of the majors assessed the expenditures for child care as too high, more than 30% of the graduates demanded lower rates. Only 7% of the entrepreneurs judged to have enough capacity regarding child care, 53% of the majors did not realize a need for improvement. Mostly all aspects of the health care system, e.g. accessibility and provision of medical care, were rated very high by all groups. Study results indicate that there is a huge discrepancy between the study participants regarding the perceptions of the region's family related structures. The addressees and users evaluate family related ‘offers' far more inadequate than political players do.