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The drop in the population owing to migrations out of eastern Germany has caused significant regional differences that raise new issues for regional planning and development. Regions contrast: population growth versus a sharp decline, not to forget in-between areas with uncertain prospects. The balance of migrations in favor of western Germany and the few poles of growth that exist in the east are factors contributing to the ageing of the population and an imbalance in the sex ratio in areas of emigration. Contrary to expectations, suburbanization is waning while downtown neighborhoods in certain towns are gaining population thanks to the economic upturn, a diversified supply of services and modified patterns of social behavior. Geographical contrasts in demography lead us to ask questions about the current reorientation of policies for providing basic facilities, amenities and services to the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]