Is There a Cognitive Footprint of Political Systems? The Case of Separation and Reunification of East and West Germany and Its Association With Later Life Cognitive Health

Germany's division into the GDR (East) and FRG (West) in 1946, and subsequent reunification in 1989, had lasting impacts on individual life courses. While East-West differentials in physical health and mortality have been well-studied, cognitive health differences remain underexplored. This study examines cognitive trajectories among individuals living in the GDR and FRG, focusing on exposure duration and age at reunification. We find that former GDR residents perform better in memory, verbal fluency, numeracy, and orientation. Cognitive advantages for East Germans are most pronounced among individuals who experienced reunification in their twenties, suggesting a critical period during young adulthood. In contrast, West Germans who experienced reunification in their forties show relative disadvantages. No significant differences are observed among those near retirement age at the time of reunification. These findings contribute to understanding how political regimes shape cognitive aging and highlight the long-term effects of sociopolitical contexts on aging processes.