Not just the 90s, this is still the case. If you ever manage to find your way to Germany I urge you to drive through rural and urban East Germany, especially Saxony, Lower Saxony and Brandenburg. For one, because the landscape actually has quite a bit to offer, but mostly to witness the absolute devastation the transition to capitalism caused there. Every small village and town has completely abandoned, crumbling ruins of what used to be shops, industry, etc. I’m not kidding, you can’t drive a mile without passing one of them. It’s absolutely shocking, especially in contrast with e.g. Southern Germany.

(Human) capital flight is still happening there, all the young people are leaving, wages are still lower, unemployment is higher and rural infrastructure is much worse. You can see the effects of this on the people too. They’re depressed, pissed and fed up with everything, which permeates the entire mood of the place.