Changing Living Standards 1945-89

Question 1

1945

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Spending patterns

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

Downside of living standards

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Stats needed

Answer 4

1963 : 63% of homes had a fridge and 42% a TV

1985 : 82% had a fridge and 82% a TV