Our Market

Below provides a profile of the Western Europe regional market overall, and interesting facts and information about issues important to both Germany and foreign executives working in Germany.

Economy

Germany is the largest economy in the European Union and the third largest in the world. With the highest GDP and the largest number of inhabitants in the EU, Germany is Europe’s most important market. Gross Domestic Product comes to EUR 2492 billion (2008), GNP per capita is EUR 30661.

Germany is the world’s leading exporter. The volume of goods exported came to EUR 984.1 billion in 2008. With this Germany was the world´s top exporting country for the sixth time in succession in 2008. Key trading partners: France (9.5%), USA (7.3%), Netherlands (6.7 %), Great Britain (6.7 %).

Germany´s economy is concentrated mainly in the secondary (industry) and tertiary (services) sectors of the economy. The primary sector (agriculture in particular) has a comparatively small share of overall economic productivity. As a densely populated industrial economy.

Alongside internationally active corporations, SMEs form the backbone of the German economy. Around 70% of all employees work in small and medium sized enterprises.

Key sectors are car-making, mechanical, electrical and precision engineering, chemicals, environmental technology,  optics,  medical technology, biotech and genetic engineering, nanotechnology, aerospace and logistics.

Germany strongly attracts foreign investors. The world’s 500 largest corporations are present here as well as a total of 22,000 foreign companies with a total staff of 2.7 million. Foreign direct investments amounted to US$ 503 billion in 2005.

Germany has a highly developed infrastructure that is growing dynamically. Its rail network covers 36,000 km and the road network belongs to 230,000 km. The country boasts one of the world’s most modern phone and communication networks.

About two thirds of all the world’s keynote trade fairs take place in Germany (about 160 international trade fairs).

Research and development

Germany is Europe’s no. 1 in terms of patent registrations. Together with Japan and the United States, Germany is among the world’s three most innovative countries.

Since 1948, 17 Nobel prizes have been won by Max Planck Society scientists. Likewise internationally renowned: the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft for applied research, the Leibniz Gemeinschaft and the Helmholtz Association with 15 internationally leading large research institutions.

Geography

357.104 sq. km; a total of 47, 4 percent is used for agriculture with forests covering a further 29, 5 percent. 12, 3 percent are used for housing and transport (this trend is still increasing).

Largest cities

Berlin: 3,4 mio.

Hamburg: 1,8 mio.

Munich: 1,3 mio.

Frankfurt: 0,7 mio.

Düsseldorf: 0,6  mio.

People

With 82, 3 million inhabitants, Germany has the largest population of any EU member state.

With 230 inhabitants per square kilometer, Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe.