Changing Living Standards 1945-89 Flashcards
1945
War damage meant that families were torn apart and people were starving and many were homeless ; refugee influx meant more pressure on housing too
Housing and food were the most pressing issues of the late 1940s
A ministry of housing was set up to oversee rebuilding and rents were frozen and the building industry was given tax concessions to build ; some were state run and others private
Spending patterns
Economy strengthened so standard of living also rose and people spent more on consumer goods
All throughout the period real wages were kept ahead of prices
By 1980s - 90% of all people were covered by benefits and healthcare and pension reforms meant that most people also received a state pension which helped accommodate for the increased life expectancy of West Germanys (12 years longer than in 1950)
Downside of living standards
Social inequality had deepened - 1% of households owned 35% of wealth in the 1960s and by 1988 this had increased to 45% with fluctuations along the way
Stats needed
1963 : 63% of homes had a fridge and 42% a TV
1985 : 82% had a fridge and 82% a TV