Majority of Bremen residents express strong emotional ties towards their state
In a recent YouGov survey, distinct regional variations in how adults in Germany feel connected to their federal states, the country as a whole, and Europe have been uncovered.
The sense of belonging to Europe, on average, stands at 60%, but this figure varies significantly across different regions. The lowest sense of belonging to Europe is found in Thuringia, where only 48% of respondents feel connected, while the highest is in Hamburg, with a notable 81%.
When it comes to identification with their federal states, the average sense of belonging is 65%. However, this too shows regional differences. For instance, 76% of people in Saxony reported a strong connection to their place of residence, with the highest belonging overall in Hamburg at 82% and the lowest in Saarland at 62%.
The survey also revealed that the sense of belonging to Germany as a whole is 69%. Interestingly, Saxony has the lowest sense of connection among all federal states, with only 62% feeling a strong or very strong bond with the country.
Regarding Europe, attachment is below the national average in Saxony, where 53% feel connected, compared to the national average of 60%. Conversely, the proportion of respondents feeling connected to Europe is above average in Bremen, where 70% reported a sense of belonging.
Bremen and Lower Saxony have a slightly higher sense of belonging compared to the average, with 71% and 74% respectively. However, the sense of belonging to Europe is lower in Lower Saxony compared to Bremen, at 57% and 71% respectively.
The online survey was conducted from June 27 to July 9, 2025, with 2,200 respondents representative of adults across Germany. The results provide an interesting insight into the regional differences in identity and belonging among Germans.
Radio Bremen, as part of the survey, showed slightly above-average attachment to Europe, with 70% of respondents feeling connected. On the other hand, when it comes to politics, specifically the sense of belonging to Germany as a whole, Bremen's 69% was lower compared to the national average of 69%.
