All of these factors contribute to the differences in economic development between Western and Eastern Europe, but the most significant factor is the communist influence on Eastern European countries during and following World War II. This led to centralized economies, state ownership of industries, and limited economic freedoms in Eastern Europe, which hindered their economic growth and development compared to Western Europe. Additionally, the economic isolation due to the Berlin Wall further restricted trade and economic integration between the two regions. Immigration restrictions in Eastern Europe following World War II also played a role in inhibiting economic development, as it limited the movement of labor and expertise. Lastly, the wave of disease in Eastern Europe during the Cold War, such as the outbreak of tuberculosis and other health issues, further strained the region's economic resources and development.
