FOREIGN POLICY SOCIETY E D U C AT I O N E CO N O M Y C U LT U R E 2023 E D I T I O N

Facts
about
Germany
 Contents
Tatsachen über
Deutschland

AT
 A GLA NCE4 EDUCAT
 IO N AND R E S EARCH 9 6
The Federal Republic  7 Thriving Research Location  99
Elections in Germany 8 Ambitious Cutting-Edge Research 102
Political System 10 Dynamic University System  105
Federal Government 11 Science Diplomacy for Global Challenges  108
Parliament and Parties 12 Facts and Figures 110
Federal Presidents and Federal Chancellors 14 Two-Track Vocational Training  112
Basic Law, Coat of Arms and Symbols 16 Attractive School System 114
Population18
Geography and Climate  20 DIVE R S E
S OC I E T Y1 1 6
GOV
 ER N MENT A ND POLITICS 22 Enriched by Diversity  119
Political Alignment of the Federal Government 25 Migration and Integration  122
Structure of the Federal Republic 28 Diverse Ways of Life  126
Facts and Figures 32 Facts and Figures  128
Diverse Participation  35 Freedom of Religion  130
Active Culture of Remembrance 36 Strong Welfare State  132
Families and Equal Rights  134
PA RT NER S I N EUROPE Active Civil Society 136
A
 N D A RO U ND T HE WORLD38
Shared Responsibility 41
CULT U R E AND MEDI A 1 3 8
Advocate for European Integration 44 A Land with a Thriving Culture  141
Commitment to Peace and Security 48 Cultural Dialogue  144
Facts and Figures 52 Artistic and Cultural Freedom  146
Upholding Human Rights  54 Guaranteed Freedom of the Press  148
Promoting Sustainable Development 58 Facts and Figures  150
Attractive Language  152
C
 LI MAT E A ND ENVIRONMENT60
Climate Policy Pioneer  63
LIVI NG I N G ER MANY 1 5 4
Transforming Energy for the Next Generation67 Land of Diversity 157
Facts and Figures 70 Leisurely Enjoyment  160
International Climate Cooperation  72 Cities – a Great Place to Live  163
Mobility for the Future  74 Sporting Challenges  164
Vital Diversity 76 Popular Travel Destination 166
Facts and Figures 168
ECO N O M Y A N D
DIGI
 TA L I SAT IO N78 DISCOVER
G ER M A NY ONLI NE170
Innovative Economy  81
P H OTO CREDITS 172
Global Player  84
Facts and Figures 88 INDE X173
Enterprise and Industry 4.0  91 IMP RI NT176
Attractive Employment Market  94
Foreword
What do you need to know about Germany and its 16 federal states? What
are the national and international policy priorities for the Federal Government,
from climate protection to security policy? How do German businesses trade on
the global market? What makes Germany attractive as a research location? What
does the German cultural and media landscape have to offer? What is life like for
the people between the North Sea and the Alps? You’ll find the answers to these
and many more questions in “Facts about Germany”.

This book is aimed at international readers in particular to help them get to

know the modern and cosmopolitan country at the heart of Europe. The hand-
book offers exhaustive basic information and numerous points of orientation.
Over the course of nine chapters, “Facts about Germany” explains what makes
Germany's political system, economy, education system and culture so different.
This edition, updated in 2022, also includes many quotations and illustrations
showing how models and solutions are being discussed and implemented in a
period of global turmoil.

The print edition of “Facts about Germany” is accompanied by a comprehensive

website that will be regularly updated and goes into depth on these topics.
At a glance
FEDER A L R EPUBLIC
The Federal Republic of Germany is situated in the heart of Europe
and is a cosmopolitan, democratic country. Federalism is a defining
feature of Germany. The Bundesrat is the second chamber of the
German parliament. It is here that the 16 federal states (Länder)
participate in the legislative process.

P O L I T ICA L SYS TEM

The Federal Republic of Germany is a parliamentary democracy.
The highest-ranking representative of the country is the Federal
President, but the Federal Chancellor holds the greatest political
decision-making power.

PA RL I A MENT & PARTIES

The German Bundestag is elected every four years. Representatives
of seven different parties have held seats in the Bundestag since the
2021 elections.

BA SIC L AW
The 146 articles of the German Constitution take precedence over
all other German legal regulations.

I N T H E H EART OF EUROPE
Germany shares borders with nine countries. No other country in
Europe has more neighbours.
 The German
Since the foundation Bundestag
of the Federal Republic in currently comprises
1949
eight men and one woman
have held the office
of Federal Chancellor.
736
REPRESENTATIVES.

Covering
G E R M A N Y AT A G L A N C E
357,588km2
7 Facts Germany is
the fourth-largest
country in the EU.

83 MILLION
PEOPLE
BERLIN live in Germany.

IS THE
CAPITAL
Almost

3.8 million Germany

is made up of

16
people live there. NINE
COUNTRIES
share borders with
Germany in the heart
of Europe.
Länder.
 AT A GLA NCE 6 | 7

FEDERAL REPUBLIC

T H E 16 L Ä N DER A STRONG ROLE

FOR THE LÄNDER
Federalism in Germany is more
than just a system of government.
Kiel It represents the country’s decen-
SCHLESWIG- tralised cultural and economic
HOLSTEIN
MECKLENBURG- structure and is deeply rooted in
WEST POMERANIA

HAMBURG Schwerin tradition. Over and above their

BREMEN
political function, the states also
BRANDENBURG
LOWER SAXONY reflect their distinct regional iden-
BERLIN

Magdeburg
tities. This strong position was set
Hanover Potsdam
out in the Basic Law in 1949.
SAXONY-ANHALT
NORTH RHINE-
WESTPHALIA

Dresden
The reunification of Germany in
Düsseldorf Erfurt
1990 brought with it the creation
THURINGIA SAXONY
HESSE of five new states: Brandenburg,
Wiesbaden Mecklenburg-West Pomerania,
RHINELAND-
PALATINATE Mainz Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thur-
SAARLAND
ingia. With 17.9 million inhabit-
Saarbrücken
ants, North Rhine-Westphalia is
BAVARIA
Stuttgart the most populous state, while
Bavaria is the largest in terms of
BADEN- Munich
WURTTEMBERG size, at 70,540 square kilometres.
The greatest population density is
in the capital, Berlin, with around
4,100 inhabitants per square kilo-
State capital
metre. The three city states of
Berlin, Bremen/Bremerhaven and
Hamburg are exceptional in that
their territories are limited to their
Germany is a federal democracy The Fed­ metropolitan areas. Bremen is the
eral Government and the 16 Länder (states) each have smallest state, with 680,000 in-
their own areas of responsibility. Responsibility for habitants in an area of 420 square
internal security, schools, universities, culture, and kilometres. Saarland was a partly
municipal administration lies with the states. At the sovereign state and a French pro-
same time, state administrations implement both tectorate after the Second World
their own laws and also those of the Federal Govern- War. It was only integrated into the
ment. State governments are directly involved in the territory of what was then the Fed-
federal legislative process through their representa- eral Republic as the tenth state on
tives on the Bundesrat. 1 January 1957.
EL ECTION S I N GE R MA NY

Free and fair elections are an essential pre-

condition for any democracy. The German Basic Law
states that representatives must be elected through
elect
general, direct, free, equal and secret elections. PEOPLE
Amongst other things, this means that all citizens have
the right to vote, regardless of their sex or income. They All German citizens aged 18 and
over have the right to vote. They
must be able to vote freely and without influence, and
elect their representatives in
every vote counts equally. It must also be guaranteed elections that are general, direct,
that every voter can cast their vote alone and without free, equal and secret.
being observed.
elect

The German Bundestag is elected every four years.

Elections in the 16 states are usually held every five
years. There are also municipal elections, such as for
city councils. The Federal President is not directly
elected by the people, but by the Federal Convention,
which consists of members of the Bundestag and rep-
resentatives from state parliaments.

STATE PARLIAMENTS

State parliaments are generally

elected for five-year terms. Their provide
powers and organisation are members of
governed by state constitutions.

elect

STATE GOVERNMENTS

State governments are elected

by their respective state parlia- provide
ments by secret ballot, and may members of
be removed by the same
Postal votes containing ballot papers mechanism.

elects
BUNDESTAG
The parliament is elected for
four years and is made up of
598 representatives. There are
also overhang mandates and
“equalising” mandates. The Bundes­
tag is responsible for legislation
and overseeing government.
elects
provides members of
FEDERAL CONVENTION
The Federal Convention only
meets to elect the Federal
President by secret ballot for
a term of five years.
BUNDESRAT
The Länderkammer (states
chamber) consists of 69 repre-
sentatives sent by the state
governments. Many areas of
legislation require the approval
of the Bundesrat.
FEDERAL CHANCELLOR
The Federal Chancellor is
elected by the Bundestag in a
secret ballot. The Chancellor
sets policy guidelines and is
head of the Federal Cabinet.
appoints
elects
elects
FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
elects
AT A GLA NCE 8 | 9
proposes
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The Federal Government
consists of the Federal Chancellor
and federal ministers. Each
minister is responsible for their
own ministry.
appoints
FEDERAL PRESIDENT
The head of state is primarily a
ceremonial role and represents the
Federal Republic of Germany
abroad. The Federal President ap-
points the Federal Chancellor and
federal ministers, and issues laws.
appoints
The Court consists of 16 judges.
Half are elected by the Bundestag
and Bundesrat each, requiring
two-thirds majorities.
P O LI TICAL SYS TE M

The Federal Republic of Germany is organ-

ised as a federal and parliamentary democracy. The
Basic Law sets down that all state authority derives
from the people. The people confer this power to
the federal and state parliaments for one legislative
period.

State authority is divided between the legislative

Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier,
branch, the executive branch and the judicial branch,
Federal President since March 2017
which is responsible for the administration of justice.
The separation of powers is a core component of all
democracies and is enshrined in Germany’s con-
stitution, the Basic Law. Parliaments belong to the
legislative branch, while governments belong to the
executive branch. The judicial branch holds a key role
as judges in courts at both state and federal levels are
independent and make decisions solely based on law.
The highest court in Germany is the Federal Consti-
Olaf Scholz, SPD, Federal Chancellor
tutional Court, which supervises compliance with the
since December 2021
Basic Law. All other state authorities are bound by the
decisions of the 16 constitutional judges.

The Federal President is the highest-ranking rep-

resentative of Germany in terms of protocol. The
second-highest ranking individual, in terms of pro-
tocol, is the President of the Bundestag. The Presi-
dent of the Bundesrat acts as deputy to the Federal
President. This office is held in rotation for one year
Bärbel Bas, SPD, President of the Bundestag
by the prime minister of one of the 16 states. The of- since October 2021
fice with the greatest political decision-making pow-
er is the Federal Chancellor, who sets guidelines for
policy. The President of the Federal Constitutional
Court, Germany’s highest court, is another high-rank-
ing representative of the state.

Professor Stephan Harbarth,

President of the Federal Constitutional Court

F E D ERAL GOV ER NME NT
The Chancellery was opened in 2001.
The Federal Chancellor is the head of the
Federal Government. Along with federal ministers,
the Chancellor forms the Federal Government – the
cabinet. While the Federal Chancellor holds responsi-
bility for setting guidelines for policy, the principle of
ministerial independence applies, where each minister
runs their ministry independently within the frame-
work of the policy guidelines. The principle of collect­
ive responsibility also applies, according to which the
Federal Government decides on disputed issues by ma-
jority vote. The Basic Law does not stipulate the num-
ber of ministers. Ministers may be replaced during the
course of a legislative period.
Since the end of 2021, the Federal Cabinet has con-
sisted of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with 15
ministers and the Head of the Chancellery. The Fed-
eral Ministries are the most senior federal authorities
AT A GLA NCE 10 | 11
in each department. The Federal
Chancellor sets the guidelines for
policy and bears responsibility for
them.
The federal capital Berlin is the
seat of government. Bonn was the
capital before German reunifica-
tion in 1990. In June 1991 the Bun-
destag decided that Berlin would
become the seat of parliament
and government. Nevertheless, six
federal ministries kept their head-
quarters in Bonn, and all ministries
have offices in both cities. Bonn, as
the second political centre of the
Federal Republic, also bears the
name of the Federal City of Bonn.
PA R L I AMEN T AND PA RTIE S
PART I E S

The German Bundestag is elected every four

years by all citizens aged 18 and over who have the right
to vote, in free, secret and direct elections. The Bundes­ Social Democratic Party
tag is the parliament. There are at least 598 seats in the of Germany (SPD)
2021 election result: 25.7%
Bundestag. Of these, half are elected through first votes
cast for individuals in 299 constituencies. The rest of
the seats are allocated according to second votes from
parties' state lists. The electoral system makes it diffi-
cult for individual parties to form a government on Christian Democratic Union
of Germany (CDU)
their own. As such, coalition governments are the rule
2021 election result: 18.9%
in Germany. Parties must achieve at least five per cent
of the vote (the five per cent hurdle) in order to be rep-
resented in the Bundestag. This is to avoid complicat-
ing the formation of majorities through the presence
of too many smaller parties.
Alliance 90/The Greens
2021 election result: 14.8%
Political parties occupy a prominent position in Ger-
many. They help shape the political decision-making
process and are indispensable for democratic elections.
For this reason, the Basic Law acknowledges their con-
stitutional status. If a party seeks to eliminate the free Free Democratic Party (FDP)
democratic basic order of the Federal Republic, the 2021 election result: 11.5%
Federal Constitutional Court may ban that party. How-
ever, the barriers to this are very high.

The 20th German Bundestag is made up of 736 rep-

resentatives of 7 parties: SPD, CDU, CSU, Alliance 90/ Alternative for Germany (AfD)
The Greens, FDP, AfD and The Left. Since the first Bun- 2021 election result: 10.3  %
destag elections in 1949, the CDU have formed a joint
party with their sister party the CSU, which only stands
for election in Bavaria.

The present Federal Government is formed of a co- Christian Social Union (CSU)
alition of the SPD, Greens and FDP. Olaf Scholz (SPD) 2021 election result: 5.2%

is Federal Chancellor, Robert Habeck (Greens) is Vice

Chancellor and Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is Federal
Foreign Minister. FDP leader Christian Lindner is the
Federal Finance Minister. The CDU, CSU, The Left and The Left
AfD form the opposition in parliament. 2021 election result: 4.9  %
 AT A GLA NCE 12 | 13

BUNDES TAG

The Bundestag has at least 598 members. In addition, there are usually
so-called “overhang” and “equalisation mandates”. The 20th Bundestag,
which was elected in 2021, is made up of 736 representatives.

Independent
5 seats
736 seats
AfD The Left
79 seats 39 seats

FDP SPDSPD
92 seats 206206
seats

CDU Alliance 90/The Greens

152 seats CSU 118 seats
45 seats

BUNDES RAT

The Bundesrat is one of five permanent constitutional bodies. It represents

the states. The Bundesrat comprises 69 representatives of the state govern-
ments. Each state has at least three votes, with the most populous states
having up to six votes.

Baden-Wurttemberg 6 4 Thuringia

Bavaria 6 4 Schleswig-Holstein

Berlin 4 4 Saxony-Anhalt

Brandenburg 4 4 Saxony

Bremen 3 3 Saarland

Hamburg 3 4 Rhineland-Palatinate

Hesse 5 6 North Rhine-Westphalia

3 6
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Lower Saxony
F E D ERAL PRESIDE NTS A ND FE DE R A L CH AN C E L LO R S

Ludwig Erhard Willy Brandt

FEDER AL CHANCEL LO R S

(CDU) 1963–1966 (SPD) 1969–1974

Kurt Georg
Konrad Adenauer Kiesinger Helmut Schmidt
(CDU) 1949–1963 (CDU) 1966–1969 (SPD) 1974–1982
1949
1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

Theodor Heuss 1985

(FDP) 1949–1959
FE DE R A L PRE S IDE N TS

Heinrich Lübke Walter Scheel

(CDU) 1959–1969 (FDP) 1974–1979

Gustav Heinemann Karl Carstens

(SPD) 1969–1974 (CDU) 1979–1984
 AT A GLA NCE 14 | 15

Olaf Scholz
(SPD) since 2021

Helmut Kohl Gerhard Schröder

(CDU) 1982–1998 (SPD) 1998–2005

Angela Merkel
(CDU) 2005–2021
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

Richard von Weizsäcker Johannes Rau Christian Wulff Frank-Walter

(CDU) 1984–1994 (SPD) 1999–2004 (CDU) 2010–2012 Steinmeier
(SPD) since 2017

Roman Herzog Horst Köhler Joachim Gauck

(CDU) 1994–1999 (CDU) 2004–2010 (no party) 2012–2017
F E DERA L EAGLE
Of all the symbols of the German state, the Fed-
eral Eagle is the oldest and is most steeped in
tradition. The Federal President, Bundesrat,
Federal Constitutional Court and Bundestag
each use differently styled eagles. Coins and the
national strips of German sports teams also dis-
play different eagles.
F L AG
According to the Basic Law, the colours of the
flag of the Federal Republic must be black, red
and gold. This decision made in 1949 created a
link with the flag of the first German Republic of
1919. That flag had been abolished by the Nazis,
who replaced it with the swastika.
C UR RENCY
€ +49
The euro has been the sole form of legal tender
in Germany since 1 January 2002, when it re-
placed the deutschmark, which had been in use
since 1948. The European Central Bank (ECB)
has its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, Ger-
many’s financial centre.
BAS IC L AW
The Basic Law adopted in Bonn in 1949 was ini-
tially only considered a provisional measure.
However, after reunification in 1990, it was
adopted as the permanent constitution. The 146
articles of the Basic Law are supreme over all
other German laws and define the fundamental
systems and values of the state.
NATIO NAL HO L I DAY
3
OCTOBER
The Unification Treaty of 1990 declared 3 Octo-
ber a national holiday as the Day of German
Unity. The Day of German Unity is the only na-
tional holiday determined by federal law.
DOMAI N S U FF I X
.de
The .de domain suffix is the most popular suffix
in Germany and the most popular country-spe-
cific suffix in the world. Germany’s +49 inter­
national dialling code allows callers to reach
99.9% of households via landline or mobile.
 AT A GLA NCE 16 | 17

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Germany’s national anthem consists of the third verse of the “Deutschland­

lied”, written in 1841 by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben. Joseph
Haydn composed the melody of the anthem in 1796/1797.

Ei – nig – keit und Recht und Frei – heit

Da – nach lasst uns al – le stre – ben

für das deut – sche Va – ter – land!

brü – der – lich mit Herz und Hand!

Ei – nig – keit und Recht und Frei – heit

sind des Glü – ckes Un – ter – pfand.

Blüh im Glan – ze die – ses Glü – ckes,

blü – he, deut – sches Va – ter – land!

P O PU L ATIO N

There are three significant trends in opment and social care system,
Germany's demographics: a low birthrate, rising although this is mitigated by
life expectancy and an ageing society. Germany re- immigration. Just under 27%
corded its highest birthrate in 1964, when 1.36 mil- of people living in Germany
lion children were born, but since then the birth rate (22.3 million) come from mi-
has slumped. Following a brief rise between 2014 and grant backgrounds. Over half
2016, the birth rate fell for four years in succession of them hold German pass­
up to 2020. Germany’s birth rate of 1.53 children per ports. Members of four national
woman puts it in line with the EU average. Never- minorities are recognised as
theless, for 35 years each generation of children has “long-established” and are af-
been smaller than their parents’ generation, and the forded special protection. These
group of 50-year-olds is now twice as large as the are the Danish minorty (50,000
group of newborns. At the same time, life expectancy people) and the Frisians (60,000)
is increasing. The average for men is 79 years and 83 in North Germany, the Lu-
for women. satian Sorbs (60,000) on the
German/Polish border and
Germany’s demographic transition has serious the German Sinti and Roma
consequences for the country’s economic devel- (70,000).

Over 83 million people live in Germany.

 AT A GLA NCE 18 | 19

G E N D E R DIST R I B U T IO N LIFE EXPEC TA N C Y

42 million 41 million 83 years 79 years

Women Men
Women Men

HOU S EHOLDS

40.7 million
AG E DIST R IB U T IO N

100

95

90

85

80

75

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20
Source: Federal Statistical Office

15

10

0
700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
thousand persons Women Age in years Men thousand persons
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Germany is in the centre of Europe. It shares LOC ATION

borders with nine countries. No other country in

Central Europe
Europe has more neighbours. To the north, Germany
has access to the Baltic and the North Sea. Its southern
border is in the Alps. The highest elevation is the Zug-
spitze mountain in Bavaria, at 2,962m above sea level.
The lowest point in the country stands 3.54m above
sea level in Neuendorf-Sachsenbande in the state of
Schleswig Holstein. Covering 357,588 square kilo-
metres, Germany is the fourth-largest country in the
European Union, after France, Spain and Sweden. Just
under a third of the total land area is covered with
forest. Lakes, rivers and other watercourses make up
over 2% of its area. The Rhine is the longest river. In
A R EA
the south-west of the country, it forms the border
between Germany and France. Further to the north, 357,588 km2
Bonn, Cologne and Düsseldorf stand on its banks.
Germany’s second-longest river, the Elbe, connects
Dresden, Magdeburg and Hamburg before flowing
into the North Sea.

HIG HE S T M O U NTA I N C A PITA L

Zugspitze Berlin
2,962m 891.70km2
 AT A GLA NCE 20 | 21

HOUR S OF S U NS H I NE RA IN FA LL
2021 2021

1,650 805l/m2

COAST LI NE LON G ES T RIV ER

2,442km Rhine

865km in Germany

F OR E S T E D A R E A
Germany enjoys a temperate climate. The
106,699km2 average temperatures in 2021 were 18.3°C
in July and 0.6°C in January. Recent winters
in Germany proved particularly mild while
the summers were unusually hot. With an
average temperature of 10.5°, 2018 was the
warmest since regular records began in
1881. The second warmest year was in 2020.
The highest temperatures recorded were
over 40°. 
Government and politics
P O L I T I C A L A L I G N M E N T O F T H E F E D E R A L G OV E R N M E N T
Olaf Scholz has been Federal Chancellor since the end of 2021.
Under his leadership, the goals of the Federal Government coalition
of the SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens and the FDP include transforming
Germany into a climate-neutral industrial nation. A summary.

STRUCTURE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC

Federalism is a defining feature of Germany. The 16 states are distinctive
for their high degree of autonomy, but they also contribute to major fed-
eral policy decisions. The Federal Constitutional Court plays a key role in
the structure of the state, acting as the “Guardian of the Basic Law”.

DI V E R S E PA RT I C I PAT I O N
The political parties are of vital importance when it comes to
participation by citizens. At the same time, there are many other
opportunities for people to contribute, such as in referendums or by serv-
ing on local councils.

AC T I V E C U LT U R E O F R E M E M B R A N C E
Many memorials play a part in keeping the memory alive in Germa-
ny of the atrocities and crimes committed by the Nazis. There are also
memorials to the injustice of the system imposed by the German
Democratic Republic of former East Germany.
 9th
Olaf Scholz is the
The Basic Law consists of
146 articles.
–
The basic rights enshrined in articles 1 to 19 FEDERAL CHANCELLOR
may not be infringed. of the Federal Republic
of Germany.

Elections to
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS the German Bundestag
are usually held every

7 Facts 4 years.

In the September 2021

parliamentary elections
There are VOTER TURNOUT
6
PARLIAMENTARY
WAS 76.6%.

GROUPS
in the 20th Bundestag.
–
The Federal Government
is formed by the Frank-Walter Steinmeier As the “Parliament of

12th
SPD, FDP and is the State Governments”,
Alliance 90/The Greens. the Bundesrat has

69
Federal President. members.
 G OV ER NM E NT A ND POLITICS
Political Alignment
of the Federal Government
Since late 2021, Germany has been governed
by a coalition of the SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens and
the FDP, headed by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The next Bundestag elections are scheduled for 2025.
On 8 December 2021, the SPD politician Olaf Scholz
was elected by the German Bundestag to serve as the
9th Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
He succeeded Angela Merkel of the CDU, who had
governed Germany for 16 years. The government that
has held office since then is formed of three parties:
the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), Alli-
ance 90/The Greens, and the Free Democratic Par-
ty (FDP). Robert Habeck is Vice Chancellor and also
serves as Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate
Action. Annalena Baerbock is the Foreign Minister.
Habeck and Baerbock are both members of the Alli-
ance 90/The Greens parliamentary group. Christian
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz
24 | 25
Lindner of the FDP is the Fed­eral
Finance Minister. The Federal
Cabinet consists of 15 ministers
and the Head of the Chancellery.
Following the Bundestag election
of 26 September 2021, the three
governing parties hold 416 out
of the 736 seats in the German
Bundestag. The opposition in the
Bundestag is formed by the Chris-
tian Democratic Union (CDU) and
the Christian Social Union (CSU),
which join forces as the Union,
along with The Left and the Alter-
native for Germany (AfD). A three-
way coalition of the SPD, Alliance
90/The Greens and the FDP is a
first for Germany, as previous gov-
ernments had almost always been
two-party alliances. The Union
and the SPD formed the govern-
ment until the handover of power
in 2021.
COALITION AGREEMENT
PRIORITIES
The coalition agreement forms
the basis for how the governing
parties work together. The SPD,
Alliance 90/The Greens and the
FDP signed the agreement before
electing Scholz as Federal Chan-
Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Habeck, Federal Chancellor Scholz,
Finance Minister Lindner

cellor. Under the headline “Daring to make progress lor Scholz described the “greatest
– alliance for freedom, justice and sustainability”, the transformation of our industry
agreement outlines the key priorities for the Federal and economy for at least 100
Government in the four years of this parliamentary years.” Specifically the govern-
legislative period. The next Bundestag elections are ment is undertaking a swift and
scheduled for Autumn 2025. comprehensive energy transfor-
mation. According to the coali-
MAKING GERMANY A CLIMATE-NEUTRAL tion agreement, 80% of Germany’s
INDUSTRIAL COUNTRY BY 2045 electricity will come from renew-
One key policy area for the Federal Government con- able sources by 2030.
cerns transforming Germany’s industry and econ­
omy to make the country climate-neutral by 2045. The government has also iden-
In his first government statement, Federal Chancel- tified a need for substantial ac-

“Germany must be cli-
mate-neutral by 2045.
That means we are
faced with the greatest
transformation of our
industry and economy
for at least 100 years.”
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz
G OV ER NM E NT A ND POLITICS 26 | 27
tion given the challenges posed by globalisation and
digitalisation. At the same time, Scholz promised that,
“We will create new confidence through this transfor-
mation and will ensure security during this transfor-
mation.” The Federal Government's commitments
include raising Germany’s legal minimum wage to
12 euros. It also pledged to provide guaranteed train-
ing places for young people and stable pensions. In
order to protect Germany’s strength as an innovator,
over three 3% of GDP is directed to research and de-
velopment each year. The aim is for this to rise to at
least 3.5% of all state expenditure by 2025. Germany
intends to make itself even more attractive for skilled
professionals from abroad. One element of this is de-
veloping modern immigration laws.
The Federal Government also plans to create
Germany’s first-ever comprehensive National Secur­
ity Strategy. Its priorities will include protection from
violence and war and promoting the resilience of
democracy. The Federal Foreign Office has initiated
consultations with civil society groups on how the
strategy will be initiated.
A TRUSTED PARTNER AROUND THE WORLD
Germany’s tradition of close cooperation with its part-
ners around the world forms the basis of the Federal
Government’s foreign policy. According to the coali-
tion agreement, “the only way to overcome the great
challenges of our age is through international coop-
eration and as a partner within a strong European
Union.” “A commitment to peace, freedom, human
rights, democracy, the rule of law, and sustainability is
for us an essential element of a successful and credible
foreign policy.” 

Structure of the
Federal Republic
Germany is a parliamentary and federal democracy.
Of all Germany’s constitutional bodies, the German
Bundestag is most prominent in public conscious-
ness. It is directly elected every four years by citizens
with the right to vote. The Bundestag’s most import­
ant duties are passing legislation and overseeing the
work of the government. The Bundestag holds a se-
cret ballot to elect the Federal Chancellor for the dur­
ation of each legislative period. Within the Federal
Government, the Federal Chancellor has authority
over policy guidelines, setting the broad outlines of
policy that ministers must follow. The Federal Chan-
cellor appoints federal ministers and selects a Vice
Chancellor from their ranks.
In practice, however, the various
governing parties decide which
individuals run the ministries as-
signed to their party as a result
of the coalition negotiations. If
a coalition collapses, the Federal
Chancellor may be deposed before
the end of a four-year term, as the
Bundestag has the right to vote the
head of government out of office at
any time. In such cases, however,
the parliament must name a suc-
cessor at the same time by passing
what is known as a “constructive
vote of no confidence”. This makes
it impossible for there to be any
periods of time without an elected
government in office.
COALITION GOVERNMENTS
ARE THE NORM IN GERMANY
The system of personalised propor-
tional representation has a decisive

The German Bundestag has its seat in the
Reichstag Building in Berlin.
Eligible citizens voted to
elect the 20th German
Bundestag in September
2021. Bundestag elections
are usually held every
four years.
effect on the character of Germa-
ny’s parliament. It means that even
smaller parties are represented in
the Bundestag in proportion to
their share of the vote. With one ex-
ception, Federal Governments have
been formed of alli­ances of sever-
al parties that competed against
each other in the election. In most
cases, these alliances were two-party
coalitions.
Three parties have formed the
government since the end of 2021:
the SPD, the Greens and the FDP.
The government is headed by Olaf
Scholz, a Social Democrat, who is
the ninth Federal Chancellor of
the Federal Republic since 1949. He
replaced Federal Chancellor Ange-
la Merkel of the CDU. All of Ger-
many’s previous chancellors were
members of either the SDP or CDU.
G OV ER NM E NT A ND POLITICS 28 | 29
In order to prevent fragmentation in parliament and
to make it easier to form a government, parties must
achieve at least 5% of all votes cast (or achieve 3 direct
mandates) in order to be represented in the Bundes­
tag. This is known as the 5% threshold. There are six
parties in the 20th German Bundestag, with the Chris-
tian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social
Union (CSU), which only stands in Bavaria, uniting as
a single grouping.
Germany’s federal character is evident from the high
degree of autonomy enjoyed by the 16 states, particu-
larly on matters of policing, disaster protection, the
judiciary, education and culture. For historical rea-
sons, the cities of Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg are
also states in their own right. The close link between
the states and central government is unique, as it gives
state governments a range of opportunities to play an
active role in shaping policy at a federal level.
COALITIONS IN THE BUNDESRAT –
A WIDE DIVERSITY
The main forum for this contribution is the Bundesrat,
Germany’s second chamber. It is formed of members
of state governments and has its seat in Berlin. The
federal states with larger populations have more rep-
resentatives in the Bundesrat than smaller states. It
also allows parties that have no seats in the Bundestag
(or are among the opposition) to influence federal pol-
icy through their representation in state parliaments,
as many federal laws and decrees require assent from
the Bundesrat.
As there is no uniform timetable of elections for state
governments and the parliamentary terms are of vary-
ing lengths, the balance of power within the Bundesrat
can change several times during a single Bundestag.
It is increasingly rare for there to be clearly defined po-
litical blocks that vote in a consistent way within the
Bundesrat, as there has been a wide diversity of coali-
tions in the 16 states in recent years. With the excep-
tion of the AfD, all parties in the 20th German Bun-
destag were represented in the government of at least
one state in 2022. The state premiers of Baden-Wurt-
temberg and Thuringia are from the Green party and
The Left respectively.
THE FEDERAL PRESIDENT IS THE MOST SENIOR
POLITICAL FIGURE IN THE COUNTRY
In terms of protocol, the Federal President is invested
with the highest office. The president is not elected by
the people but by a federal assembly especially con-
vened for the purpose. Half of the assembly is made up
of members of the Bundestag. The other half is elected
by state parliaments in proportion to the distribution
of seats there. The Federal President holds office for
five years and may be re-elected for one further term.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been Federal President
since 2017. He was re-elected with
a large majority in 2022 at the end
of his first term in office. As a mem-
ber of the SPD, he served as Federal
Foreign Minister from 2005 to 2009
and 2013 to 2017. Steinmeier is the
twelfth Federal President since
1949.
Although the duties of the Fed­
eral President are primarily repre-
sentative in nature, he or she may
refuse to sign laws if they doubt
their constitutionality. However,
the most significant way for the
Federal President to influence is
through public speeches, which
attract considerable attention.
Federal Presidents refrain from
getting involved in party politics
and instead address pressing issues

M I L E S TO N E S

1949 1961 1989/1990

On 23 May, the Par-
liamentary Council in
Bonn, which was made
up of representatives of
the western occupation
zones, formally adopts
the Basic Law. Elections
for the 1st Bundestag
are held on 14 August.
The government of the GDR
in East Germany closed
crossing points between
East and West Germany
with a wall and barbed wire.
Those attempting to flee
are shot. The possibility
of a united German state
seems unachievable for the
foreseeable future.
Peaceful protests in East
Germany lead to the collapse
of the regime. The border
with the West is opened on
9 November. After its first
peaceful elections on
18 March, the GDR accedes
to the Federal Republic on
3 October 1990.
 G OV ER NM E NT A ND POLITICS 30 | 31

and occasionally urge the govern-
ment, parliament or the people to
take action. Some speeches come
to be regarded as historic events,
such as the speech given by the
then Federal President Richard
von Weizsäcker in 1985, when he
described 08 May 1945 as a “day of
liberation”. The current President
used his speeches and televised
addresses to speak directly to the
people during the Covid-19 pan-
demic, for example.
and its authoritative decisions provide a binding inter-
pretation of the text of the constitution. The Court is
formed of two senates and adjudicates where consti-
tutional bodies are in dispute over competency. It may
also declare laws to be incompatible with the Basic
Law. All citizens may appeal to the Federal Constitu-
tional Court if they believe a law violates their basic
rights.

THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL

COURT IN KARLSRUHE
The Federal Constitutional Court
in Karlsruhe exercises considera-
ble influence, and is held in high
esteem by the public. It is regarded
as the “Guardian of the Basic Law”
The Federal Constitutional Court sits in Karlsruhe.

1999 2005 2021

The Bundestag and Fed-
eral Government relocate
to Berlin. The parliament
buildings stand on either
side of the former Berlin
Wall. Some ministries
and federal authorities
retain their headquarters
in Bonn.
Angela Merkel becomes For the first time, the
the first female Federal SPD, FDP and Alliance
Chancellor of Germany 90/The Greens form
on 22 November. She is the government. The
also the first East German government is headed
in this office, which she by the ninth Federal
holds for 16 years until Chancellor of Germany,
a new government takes Olaf Scholz, a Social
over in 2021. Democrat.
 Elections and parliaments:
facts and figures
AG E DI S T R I B U T I O N O F E L I G I B L E VOT E R S
Germany’s demographic changes are evident in the electorate, where the proportion
of older voters has increased substantially within 50 years.

1972 2021

18–29 18–29
20% 14%

30–59
60+
28%
30–59 60+ 47%
52% 39%

Source: Federal Returning Officer

W O M E N I N T H E B U N D E S TAG

256
women were elected to the Bundestag in 2021,
38 more than in the 2017 elections.
 G OV ER NM E NT A ND POLITICS 32 | 33

47.3 11% 23
Average age of members of of members of the The age of the youngest
the Bundestag after the 2021 Bundestag come from member of the Bundestag
elections. migrant backgrounds. in 2021.

“Getting involved and playing your part are the lifeblood of

democracy. Anyone who gets involved gets listened to. If you
don’t vote, you’re letting others make decisions for you.”
F E D E R A L P R E S I D E N T F R A N K-WA LT E R S T E I N M E I E R ,
S P E A K I N G B E F O R E T H E 2021 B U N D E S TAG E L E C T I O N .

T U R N O U T F O R B U N D E S TAG E L E C T I O N S
Turnout for Bundestag elections has dropped slightly in recent years.
The highest turnout was for the 1972 election.

91.1%
78.5% 77.8% 76.2% 76.6%
71.5%

1949 1972 1990 2013 2017 2021

Source: Federal Returning Officer

 E L I G I B L E VOT E R S

61.2 million
Germans were eligible to vote in the Bundes­
tag elections on 26 September 2021. Around
46.9 million people cast their votes, repre­
senting a turnout of 76.6%.
 G OV ER NM E NT A ND POLITICS 34 | 35

Diverse participation
Germany’s political system acknowledges the cru- more attractive for young people.
cial and privileged position within the Federal Re- Social media is becoming increas-
public. Article 21 of the Basic Law states that they ingly significant as a platform for
“participate in the formation of the political will of citizens to articulate political views
the people.” This is accompanied by an obligation to and take action. Voters can also
uphold their own internal democracy. Committees, participate in the political process
chairpersons and candidates are elected in secret through democratic processes such
ballots by delegates of the party membership at par- as referendums. Opportunities for
ty conferences. More recently, parties have direct- direct democracy are increasing-
ly polled their members on significant decisions as ly offered at state and municipal
a means of reinforcing their internal democratic levels, and citizens are making
processes. great use of these.

While the parties remain essentially a form of so- “Citizens’ councils” are also grow-
cial expression, at the same time they are losing co- ing in importance as a means of
herence. The CDU/CSU and SPD each have around involving members of the public
a million party members, which corresponds to in decision-making processes.
around 1.6% of the 61 million eligible voters. The These councils are generally con-
trend in voter turnout is also in decline. While turn- cerned with specific concrete
out for elections in the 1970s and 1980s remained issues where they make recom-
high and reached its peak (91.1% in 1972), the 2017 mendations to political leaders.
and 2021 Bundestag elections achieved 76.2% and Governments and parties are also
76.6% respectively. looking for ways to engage with
the people. For example, Federal
The greatest increase in turnout by some distance in Foreign Minister Annalena Baer-
2021, was the 3.9% rise in voters aged 21–29. However, bock has initiated citizens consul-
opportunities to participate through civil society ini­ tations as part of drawing up the
tiatives and non-governmental organisations are often first National Security Strategy.

Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock in conversation with members of the public


Active culture of
remembrance
Many memorials play a part in keeping the mem­ory
alive in Germany of the crimes committed by the Na-
zis. Two important elements of Germany’s culture of
remembrance are commemorating the victims of per-
secution, while engaging with issues of war, tyranny,
ideologically motivated crime and 20th century polit-
ical injustice. Preserving eyewitness accounts is a par-
ticularly significant way of ensuring that generations
now and in future remain aware of the crimes com-
mitted by the Nazis.
MAJOR PLACES OF REMEMBRANCE
The many memorials and sites of remembrance play a
major role in Germany’s active culture of remembrance.
One such is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of
S TO L P E R S T E I N E
(S T U M B L I N G B LO C K S)
In many European cities, “Stolpersteine”
(stumbling blocks) have been set into the
pavement as reminders to passers-by of
places where people lived who were perse-
cuted deported or displaced by the Nazis.
Brass plaques on the tops of the cube-shaped
blocks of concrete, roughly 10x10 centi­
metres in size, bear inscriptions in memory
of victims along with their date of birth and
death. These stolpersteine have been placed
in over 1,200 towns, cities and villages across
Germany.
Europe in the very centre of Berlin,
which commemorates the six mil-
lion Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
The act of commemorating dic-
tatorship and war is often close-
ly linked to reconstruction and
German unification. For example,
in May 2020 Germany marked 75
years since the end of the Second
World War and hence the end of
the Nazi dictatorship, and in Octo-
ber of the same year celebrated 30
years of German unification. Just
under a year later in August 2021,
Germany commemorated the
construction of the Berlin Wall 60
years previously.
During the anniversary years of
2014 and 2015, which marked 100
years since the beginning of the
First World War and the 25th anni-
versary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall,
the commemorations were marked
above all by a sense of gratitude. It
acknowledged the debt owed to
the Allied coalition for liberating
Germany in 1945 and also the op-
portunity for reconstruction and
reunification in 1990. There was
also gratitude to those Holocaust
sur­vivors who bore witness to the
crimes and were willing to be rec-
onciled with democratic Germany
after the Second World War.
The German Resistance Centre
in the “Bendlerblock” in Berlin’s
Mitte district commemorates

A stolperstein: a visible reminder of the Jews murdered by the Nazis
those who opposed Nazi dicta-
torship. It stands on the historic
site of the failed coup attempt
undertaken by a group led by Graf
Stauffenberg on 20 July 1944. The
Centre documents how individ­
uals and groups took action against
the Nazi dictatorship, making use
of what freedom of action they had
between 1933 and 1945.
THE I NJUSTICE OF THE EAST
GERMAN SYSTEM
Germany also intends to keep the
memory alive of the communist
G OV ER NM E NT A ND POLITICS 36 | 37
dictatorship during the periods of the Soviet occupa-
tion zone (1945–1949) and the German Democratic
Republic in East Germany (1949–1990) for those gen-
erations who did not experience a divided Germany
and the GDR system. The office of the Federal Com-
missioner for the Records of the State Security Ser-
vice (Stasi) of the GDR began examining and sorting
Stasi files, and making them accessible to academics
and researchers. In mid-2021 responsibility for the
documents was transferred to the Federal Archives.
A permanent exhibition in the former Stasi head-
quarters in Berlin’s Lichtenberg district presents
an insight into the methods and techniques used
by the Stasi to spy on, control and intimidate the
population. 
Partners in Europe
and around the world
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
Multilateral collaboration is a hallmark of German foreign policy. Its for-
eign policy is shaped by working jointly through the European Union as
well as its transatlantic alliance with the USA. But Germany is also part of
a close-knit network that extends much further. A summary.

A DVO C AT E F O R E U R O P E A N I N T E G R AT I O N
Germany is one of the six founder members of the European Union. The
friendship between Germany and France is considered a driving force
behind the process of European integration.

CO M M I T M E N T TO P E AC E A N D S E C U R I T Y
Germany shoulders responsibility around the world as part of UN and
NATO missions. Civilian methods are always the priority. The Federal
Government is also active in promoting disarmament and arms control.

U P H O L DI N G H U M A N R I G H T S
Germany plays an active role around the world in protecting and
developing human rights through the United Nations and the Council
of Europe.

P R O M OT I N G S U S TA I N A B L E D E V E LO P M E N T
Germany’s development policy is guided by the United Nations’ 17
sustainable development goals. Global food security is a particular
priority.
 Of the
705 seats in the
101 volunteers European Parliament,

96
receive their letters of appointment
on 12 November 1955.
–
This day marks the are held by
foundation of the Bundeswehr. REPRESENTATIVES
from Germany.

Germany
maintains
PA RTNER S I N EU ROPE AN D AROUN D THE WORLD
226
7 Facts diplomatic
missions around
the world.

The
ÉLYSÉE TREATY
signed in 1963 is a
The milestone in the Franco-German

17
friendship and the process of
European integration.

GOALS
for sustainable
development set by
Around

30
Agenda 2030 are
guidelines for German Germany is the
development policy. second-largest
donor
of humanitarian aid UN ORGANISATIONS
in the world. are headquartered
in Germany.
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD 40 | 41

Union’s future. Germany has close

ties with France through their
Shared responsibility historic partnership. This mu­
tual friendship and cooperation is
considered a driving force behind
International cooperation is the foundation the European Union. The “Weimar
of German foreign policy. It works with partners in Triangle” serves as an important
Europe and around the world to stand up for free- forum for Germany’s cooperation
dom, democracy and human rights. with France and Poland. Germany
is also rooted in the shared values
As the fourth-largest economy in the world and the that underpin the transatlantic al-
largest member of the European union, Ger­ many liance with the USA.
is well aware of its international responsibilities.
Through its foreign, security and defence policy, Germany is also part of an active
the Federal Government aims to work closely with and diverse network in wider
demo­cratic partners in order to defend shared values international politics. It maintains
and counter global challenges such as climate change diplomatic relations with almost
and the Covid-19 pandemic. A key pillar of this is 200 countries and is a member of
the EU as a project to promote peace and freedom, a range of multinational organisa-
where Germany plays an active role in shaping the tions and informal coordination

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at an EU summit in Brussels

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets US President Joe Biden at the G7 Summit in Germany in 2022

groups such as the Group of Seven (G7). Annalena into the structures of multilateral
Baerbock (Alliance 90/The Greens) has been Fed­ cooperation. In concrete terms,
eral Foreign Minister since December 2021. Around this means developing construct­
12,000 people work for the Foreign Service, which has ive partnerships with EU member
its headquarters in Berlin. Germany maintains 226 states and transatlantic partners,
diplomatic missions. supporting Israel’s right to exist,
making an active and committed
The overarching goal of German foreign policy is to contribution to the UN and the
maintain peace and security around the world. One Council of Europe, and strength-
of its guiding principles is comprehensive integration ening European security archi-
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD
tecture through the Organization
for Security and Co-operation in
Europe (OSCE).
UPHOLDING HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights are the founda-
tion of German foreign policy.
Article 1 of the Basic Law states
that “Human dignity shall be
inviolable”. Germany therefore
works with partners around the
world to achieve this. This is
not just a moral obligation, it is
also in Germany’s foreign policy
interests, as preserving human
rights contributes to peace and
stable development.
Germany champions a broad view
of security that encompasses sus-
tainable economic, environmen-
tal and social issues alongside
crisis prevention, disarmament
and arms control. It includes pro-
moting globalisation with oppor-
tunities for all, cross-border envir­
onmental and climate protection,
intercultural dialogue, as well as
encouraging hospitality to visit­
ors and immigrants. This holistic
approach also includes the Fed­
eral Government's pledge to make
feminist foreign policy a reality.
This focuses on strengthening the
rights, resources and representa-
42 | 43
tion of women and marginalised groups, as well as
promoting diversity.
As part of multilateral organisations and relation-
ships, Germany has shouldered the increased respon-
sibility that has fallen to it since reunification in 1990.
Through wide-ranging and ever-increasing efforts,
Germany now contributes to stabilising crisis regions
and finding political solutions to conflicts. It also
helps maintain peacekeeping structures, as well as
playing a role in crisis management by contributing
personnel to UN peace missions.
Germany also provides humanitarian aid to crises,
conflicts and natural disasters to help people in
acute distress. Germany also works with UN organ-
isations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent organisa-
tions, and NGOs. Germany aligns its development
activities with the sustainable development goals
set down in the United Nations’ Agenda 2030. The
17 goals include combating hunger and poverty,
promoting climate protection and achieving gender
equality.
GERMANY’S G7 PRESIDENCY 2022
In 2022 the Federal Republic took its seventh turn as
leader of the G7, the group of seven leading industrial
nations and democracies. In partnership with France,
Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and the
USA, Germany faced up to its responsibilities during
its presidency. The Federal Government chose set it-
self the goal of “Progress for a just world” in its pro-
gramme. The priorities included future global alliances
and structures, climate protection, global health, social
justice and equality. 

Advocate for
European integration
No other country in Europe has as many neighbours
as Germany. Germany shares borders with nine coun-
tries, eight of which are members of the EU. For Ger-
many, European integration forms the basis for peace,
security and prosperity. Despite the UK’s exit from the
EU at the end of 2020, it remains a key task for German
foreign policy to further develop and strengthen the
Union, even under complex and often highly fraught
conditions.
The EU is a historic project that began in the early
1950s and now encompasses around 450 million citi­
zens across 27 member states. Germany’s European
E U R O P E A N PA R L I A M E N T
The European Parliament celebrated its 70th
birthday in 2022. The first meeting of the
“Common Assembly” of the European Coal
and Steel Community took place in Stras-
bourg on 10 September 1952, which is re-
garded as the moment when the parliament
was born. European elections have been held
every 5 years since 1979. Around 450 million
Europeans from 27 countries have a direct
say in the allocation of seats in the European
Parliament. There are 705 MEPs in total, of
which 96 come from Germany.
policy has established itself as
a driving force at every stage of
European integration, playing an
active role in shaping in European
integration. Ursula von der Leyen’s
appointment as President of the
European Commission in Decem-
ber 2019 saw a German at the head
of the community.
Along with France, Italy, Belgium,
the Netherlands and Luxembourg,
Germany is one of the six founder
members of the EU which conclud-
ed the Treaty of Rome on 25 March
1957. The signing of this treaty is
regarded as the moment the Euro-
pean Union was born. Officially, at
that point the Treaty established the
European Economic Community
(EEC) and the European Atomic En-
ergy Community (Euratom).
EUROPEAN COMMON MARKET
European integration has creat-
ed the world’s largest common
market. It is unique thanks to the
four fundamental freedoms stated
in the Treaties of Rome: the free
movement of goods within EU
member states, the free movement
of persons, the freedom to provide
services within the EU and the
free flow of capital. The scale and
economic output of the European
common market make the EU a
key player in the global economy.
The European internal market is
of vital importance to Germany’s
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD 44 | 45

Widespread support for Europe: the EU enjoys strong backing among the public.

economy, as European countries billions of euros. The “NextGenerationEU” plan was

are some of Germany’s most im-
portant trading partners.
As the EU’s strongest economy,
Germany bears a particular re-
sponsibility, particularly during
periods of economic and social
transition. This was evident during
the Global Financial Crisis. Euro
member states set up the Euro-
pean Stability Mechanism (ESM)
as an emergency fund. EU states
also showed solidarity during the
Covid-19 pandemic, agreeing on
a reconstruction package worth
based on a Franco-German initiative.
FRANCO-GERMAN FRIENDSHIP –
A DRIVING FORCE
France is Germany’s key partner in Europe. In paral-
lel to European integration, the two countries forged
a partnership after the Second World War which today
is often considered a model for reconciliation between
two nations. The two countries were both among
the six founder members of the European Economic
Community (EEC) in 1957, the core of the modern EU.
The Franco-German friendship was sealed by the 1963
Élysée Treaty and is sustained by close relationships
between civil society organisations and many Fran-
co-German institutions.
Signed in January 2019, the Aachen Treaty follows on
from the Élysée Treaty and realigns Franco-German re-
lations to face future challenges. The measures agreed
in the treaty include working closely together in part-
nership with other EU states to develop the European
Union, and to increase ongoing efforts to promote the
aspects of life which German and French people have
in common.
CLOSE COOPERATION IN THE WEIMAR TRIANGLE
The Weimar Triangle consists of Germany, France
and Poland. It was first established in 1991 by the
then foreign ministers of the three countries. Its
name refers to the fact the three ministers met in
Weimar on Goethe’s birthday. In a joint declaration,
the three ministers emphasised the significant re-
sponsibility that Germany, France and Poland bear
for the process of European integration. Poland was
admitted to the European Union in 2004 along with
nine other states in central and
eastern Europe.
PARTNER FOR EU EXPANSION
Germany is supporting the inte-
gration of more members into the
EU. The Union has been expanded
many times in recent decades. The
eastward enlargement of the EU in
2004 was also particularly signifi-
cant in Germany. The United King-
dom’s departure at the end of 2020
marked the first time a member
state had left the EU. Despite this,
Germany is prioritising close rela-
tions with the UK and sees itself as
bearing a particular responsibility
for shaping the UK’s future rela-
tionship with the EU.

M I L E S TO N E S

1957 1979 1993

The process of Euro­
pean integration begins.
With the signing of
the Treaties of Rome,
Belgium, France, Germany,
Italy, Luxembourg and
the Netherlands establish
the European Economic
Community (EEC).
Members of the public
are invited to vote in
European elections. This
is the first time that
Members of the European
Parliament have been
directly elected. They had
previously been delegated
by national parliaments.
Visible signs of European
integration at the borders:
in Schengen in Luxembourg,
Germany, France and the
Benelux countries agree to
end border controls between
the states. Other countries
join the agreement later.
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD 46 | 47

PROMOTING JOINT Defence Policy (CSDP). The Policy encompasses roles

EUROPEAN ACTION
Germany works closely with its
European partners across all pol-
icy areas. One of the EU’s core
tasks is to find shared responses
to the climate crises. In late 2019,
the European Commission pre-
sented its “European Green Deal”.
The aim is to make Europe the first
climate-neutral continent by 2050.
Germany is committed to actively
promoting efforts to achieve this
goal and become climate neutral as
early as 2045.
The Federal Government is also
promoting the development of
the EU’s Common Security and
ranging from crisis prevention to conflict manage-
ment and post-conflict stabilisation. During its ten-
ure of the EU Council presidency, Germany initiated
what is known as the “Strategic Compass” in 2020.
It is aimed at setting a clear course for common
policies.
The foundation of Germany’s European policy is its
awareness of the historical significance of the Euro-
pean Union as a peace project. In 2012 the Union was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At the time, the Nobel
Committee said that the EU had transformed “Europe
from a continent of war to a continent of peace.” For
the Federal Government, this duty is of fundamental
importance, as Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed
in 2022: “This core mission of the European Union, the
preservation of peace within Europe is as important
now as it has ever been.” 

2002 2019 2020

Europe adopts its own
currency. The euro is initially
introduced in cash form
in 12 EU countries. It has
been available for interbank
transactions since 1999.
The headquarters of the
newly established European
Central Bank (ECB) is in
Frankfurt am Main.
The European Com-
mission proposes its
European Green Deal. The
aim is to make Europe the
first climate-neutral cont­
inent by 2050. Ger­many
is pressing ahead with
the process and aims to
achieve climate neutrality
itself by 2045.
In response to the
Covid-19 pandemic the
EU sets up an unprece-
dented reconstruction
package worth billions of
euros. The initiative for
the “NextGenerationEU”
plan came from Germany
and France.
Commitment
to peace
and security
Germany’s global commitment to peace and secur­
ity, promoting human rights and protecting minor­
ities are unchanging foundations of its foreign policy
and are rooted in the Basic Law. On the one hand,
Germany accepts this duty out of recognition of its
historical responsibilities. On the other hand, it is
in Germany’s interest to prevent crises and manage
conflicts, as the effects of crises may be felt around
the world, including in Germany. Russia’s illegal war
of aggression against Ukraine gravely undermines
international security and stability in Europe.
Germany’s multilateral links form the basis for its
foreign policy activity. For example, deployments of
the armed forces always take place within systems of
collect­ive defence or security. Above all, these involve
international organisations such as the UN, the EU or
NATO. The Bundestag must also approve deployment
of German forces abroad. For this reason, the German
armed forces are considered a parliamentary military
force.
For the Federal Government, the priority is always
to use civilian means. The primary goal is always to
identify crises and conflicts at an early stage and to
defuse them before they can escalate. Disarmament
and arms control are key elements of German foreign
policy.
They form the guiding principle for efforts to pro-
mote peace, security and development as described
in guidelines developed by the
Federal Foreign Office in 2017:
“Preventing crises, resolving
conflicts, building peace”. For
the Federal Government, paying
close attention to the connections
between the climate crisis and
issues around peace, security is an
essential task, so as to identify cli-
mate-related conflicts at an early
stage. Increasingly, the focus is on
new threats to global security in
cyberspace. The Federal Govern-
ment has created a new National
Security Strategy to counter these
challenges. The Strategy is be-
ing draw up in 2022 and includes
wide-ranging public consult­
ations. The Strategy is based on a
comprehensive security concept
which takes a holistic view of
human security.
A RELIABLE PARTNER IN NATO
Ever since the formation of the
federal armed forces in 1955, Ger-
many has been integrated into
NATO both politically and mili-
tarily. Germany’s place at the heart
of the north Atlantic alliance is
part of the DNA of German for-
eign policy. The German armed
forces are a major provider of
NATO troops. For example, Ger-
many has contributed to the NATO
KFOR security force in Kosovo
since 1999. German armed forces
are also taking a leading role as a
“framework nation” to help secure
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD 48 | 49

NATO’s eastern frontier. This is
part of the enhanced Forward Pres-
ence mission (eFP), which contrib-
utes to safeguarding Eastern Euro-
pean states. Germany is supporting
the close cooperation between
NATO and the EU and consistently
advocates for the impact of climate
change to be given greater consid-
eration in security policy.
In the context of Russia’s war of
aggression, the Federal Govern-
ment set up a special armed forc-
es fund in 2022 worth 100 billion
euros. Germany is modernising the
equipment used by its armed forces
and strengthening its national defences and those of its
allies. By doing this, Germany is meeting its obligations
from the 2014 NATO summit in Wales and the 2022 Ma-
drid summit most recently, and is making long-term
investments in necessary military capacities.
TRUSTED AND VALUED MEMBER
OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Ever since Germany joined the UN in 1973, the Fed-
eral Republic has been a committed, reliable and
valued member of the organisation. Germany is the
fourth-largest contributor to the UN general budget.
In 2021, Germany contributed 6.1% of the budget,
worth around 176 million dollars (US). For the
period from July 2021 to June 2022, it provided an ad-
ditional 400 million USD for the budgets of individual
peace missions. Germany’s support for the missions

Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock in conversation with German troops deployed on a UN mission to Mali
 German armed
forces are deployed
on missions in-
cluding the UNIFIL
peacekeeping
mission off the coast
of Lebanon.

The corvette Erfurt sets sail to join the UNIFIL mission.

includes providing stabilisation measures, making also contributing to the training of

efforts to achieve mediation through diplomacy and the Lebanese navy.
providing aid in the aftermath of crises. It also sup-
plies troops, police officers and expert personnel. The United Nations also has a
considerable presence in Ger-
For example, Germany’s armed forces are contribut- many, with a number of of­ fices
ing to one of the UN’s longest-running peacekeeping in the country. The UN High
missions, the UNIFIL, which safeguards peace between Commissioner for Refugees
Israel and Lebanon. In concrete terms, the deployment (UNHCR) opened a regional office
includes helping the Lebanese government secure its in Bonn in 1951. Since then, some
sea borders and supporting the prevention of arms 30 UN organisations have offic-
smuggling. Members of the German armed forces are es in Germany, particularly at the
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD
UN Campus in Bonn, where over
20 organisations are headquartered.
Another essential pillar upholding
peace and security is the Organ­
ization for Security and Co-oper­
ation in Europe (OSCE), which
Germany supports in intensive
and varied ways. The OSCE is suc-
ceeded the Conference on Secu-
rity and Co-operation in Europe
(CSCE) in 1995. The OSCE has its
origins in the Helsinki Accords.
50 | 51
Signed in 1975, the Accords declared that the invi-
olability of frontiers and the peaceful settlement of
disputes were the principles for maintaining peace
in Europe. The OSCE now comprises 57 member
states from Europe, North America and Central Asia,
making it the world’s largest regional security or-
ganisation. With the goal of preventing conflicts and
promoting democratisation, the OSCE maintains
permanent missions in many countries. Its work in-
cludes regularly sending election observers to mem-
ber states, and Germany contributes to this process.
The Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF)
also works to help prevent crises and consolidate
peace around the world. The ZIF was set up in 2002 by
the Federal Government and the Bundestag. Working
on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office, the ZIF trains
civilian experts and supplies personnel for peace and
election observer missions. Around 6,000 election ob-
servers have been deployed within 20 years.
COMMITMENT TO DISARMAMENT
AND ARMS CONTROLS
Germany is making an important contribution
to global security through its commitment to
disarma­ment and arms control. The Federal Gov-
ernment is working towards a world free of nuclear
weapons, based on the foundation of the Treaty on
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In
addition, Germany is campaigning to promote the
universality and implementation of international
treaties and agreements relevant to this area, such as
the Chemical Weapons Convention, which codifies
rules prohibiting the use of chemical weapons. Ger-
many is also actively involved in promoting the glob-
al ban on mines and cluster munitions. Specifically
the Federal Government is supporting humanitarian
efforts to clear mines and weapons and to care for
victims.
 German foreign policy –
facts and figures
GERMA NY IS A TRUSTED PARTNER AROUND THE WORLD

Fourth-largest
Founder member Member of International
contributor
of the European NATO Cooperation
to the United
Union since 1955 in G7 and G20
Nations

THE 27 EU MEMBER STATES

Along with France, Italy, Belgium the Netherlands and

Luxembourg, Germany is one of the 6 founder members
of the EU. In 2022 there are 27 members of the EU, Finland
and other countries hope to join the Union soon.

Sweden
Estonia

Latvia
Ireland Denmark

Netherlands Lithuania

Belgium
Germany Poland

Czech Republic
Luxembourg
Slovakia

Austria
Hungary
France Romania
Slovenia
Portugal Croatia
Spain
Bulgaria
Italy

Greece

Malta Cyprus
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD 52 | 53

GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY

“We’re
in a marathon,
not a sprint. We Around

2
must keep global
food security on
the agenda for
the men, women
and children who BILLION
are in need around EUROS
the world.”
are invested each year in global food
FE D E R AL FO R E IGN MIN IST ER security and agricultural development
ANNALE NA BAE R BOCK
by the Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPANDS HUMANITARIAN AID

Germany is the world’s second-largest state donor of aid.
(billions of euros)
2.57
2.5

2.14
2.0
1.78
1.53 1.63
1.5
1.31

1.0

0.44 0.51
0.5
0.27 0.36

0.0
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Source: Federal Foreign Office

Upholding
human rights
“Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and
protect it shall be the duty of all state authority.” This
is the clear duty imposed by Article 1 of the Basic Law,
in which Germany has committed itself to “inviolable
and inalienable human rights” as “the basis of every
community, of peace and of justice in the world.”
Germany takes this obligation seriously, at home and
in its relations with other states. The protection and
strengthening of human rights play a particular role
in the context of foreign policy and international rela-
tions, as systematic human rights violations are often
the first step towards conflicts and crises. As a member
of the Council of Europe, Germany works with part-
ners in the European Union and the United Nations to
protect and improve human rights standards around
the world.
UNITED NATIONS
198 million
The sum contributed by Germany to the
general budget of the United Nations in
2022. Accounting for around 6% of the to-
tal budget, this makes the Federal Republic
the fourth-largest contributor after the USA,
China and Japan.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS
Germany is a signatory to all the
major UN human rights conven-
tions and their supplementary
protocols. These conventions
allowed states to create a com-
prehensive system of treaties to
protect human rights, based on
the Charter of the United Nations
and the 1948 Universal Declaration
of Human Rights. Germany has
ratified many legally binding con-
ventions, including the Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, the
Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, the International
Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
the Convention on the Elimin­ation
of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women, the Convention
Against Torture, the Convention
on the Rights of the Child, the
Convention on the Rights of Per-
sons with Disabilities, and the
Convention for the Protection of
All Persons from Enforced Disap-
pearance.
German law enshrines the rights
and obligations on the state de-
fined in the treaties. At the same
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD
Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
time, the Federal Government's
activities around the world in-
clude promoting protection from
discrimination and racism. It also
campaigns against the death pen-
alty and calls for greater political
participation and the protection
of rights. Germany defends free-
doms of religion and conscience,
combats human trafficking and
pushes for the enforcement of
rights to habitation, clean drinking
water and sanitation, for example.
The German government is also
54 | 55
campaigning for a UN convention on LGBTQI rights.
Another current priority of German rights policy is
protecting human rights in the digital age. Within the
United Nations, the Federal Government is actively
supporting the work of the UN Human Rights Council
and campaigning to further strengthen the High Com-
missioner for Human Rights.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH
THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
When it comes to protecting and promoting human
rights, the rule of law and democracy across the whole
of Europe, Germany is one of the most active mem-
bers of the Council of Europe. There are 46 mem-
bers of the Council, including the 27 members of the
European Union. Through groundbreaking agree-
ments and above all the European Convention on Hu-
man Rights, the Council of Europe is helping develop a
common European legal space. It also monitors obser-
vance of binding common standards and values in the
continent of Europe. The European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR), which is based in Strasbourg in France,
is a core institution by which the Council can enforce
these rights. All citizens of member states can appeal
to the ECHR against violations of rights protected by
the Human Rights Convention. Germany strongly ad-
vocates for all state parties to implement the court’s
decisions. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in
the Hague in the Netherlands is responsible for pun-
ishing serious crimes under international law such as
war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Germany supports universal recognition of the ICJ.
HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY AND
HUMANITARIAN AID
The office of the Commissioner for Human Rights
Policy and Humanitarian Assistance has been part of
the Federal Foreign Office since
1998. The commissioners are the
primary point of contact for mat-
ters of human rights protection.
They are active internationally as
members of EU and OSCE com-
mittees, the Council of Europe
and the United Nations. They also
hold an important position when
it comes to involving civil society
organisations and groups in hu-
man rights policy. Internally their
role is as independent advisors,
supporting relevant processes
across the whole Federal Govern-
ment.
At a parliamentary level, German
human rights policy has been
supported and overseen by the
Committee for Human Rights and
Humanitarian Assistance of the
German Bundestag. The German
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD 56 | 57

Food supplies in Mozambique –

aid agencies are active around the world.

in need. It is targeted at the needs of those in distress

“People around the
world count on us in their
hour of greatest need,
and it is our responsibility
as a society not to let
them down.”
Federal Foreign Minister
Annalena Baerbock
Institute for Human Rights was
established in Berlin in 2001 as a
state-funded but still independ-
ent office. Its role as the national
human rights institution is to con-
tribute to promoting and protect-
ing human rights in Germany and
in accordance with the Paris Prin-
ciples of the United Nations.
and is based on the humanitarian principles of benev-
olence, neutral­ity, impartiality and independence.
Around the world, Germany takes responsibility for
those in need and is an active campaigner for a strong-
er and better developed international humanitar­
ian system. This can be seen from Germany’s actual
financial commitment – the Federal Republic is the
world’s second largest state donor of humanitarian
aid. Between 2018 and 2021 the Federal Government
increased funding by 70% to 2.57 billion euros in re-
sponse to increased needs around the world. This was
driven by armed conflicts, climate change and above
all the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020. The Federal
Government is also campaigning internationally to
get the international community to take more action.
The basis of Germany’s humanitarian aid was set out
in the Federal Foreign Office’s 2019 “Strategy of the
Federal Foreign Office for Humanitarian Assistance
Abroad”. Key partners in this are UN organisations, the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent movements
and other NGOs.

HUMANITARIAN AID FOR

PEOPLE IN DIRE NEED
The Federal Government pro-
vides humanitarian aid to support
people around the world who are
in distress due to natural disasters,
armed conflicts or other crises or
conflicts, and who are consequent-
ly at specific risk. Aid is provid-
ed regardless of the cause of the
hardship. Humanitarian aid is an
expression of ethical responsibility
and a sign of solidarity with those Providing water supplies is a key element of humanitarian aid.
Providing advice and support to cotton farmers in India
Promoting
sustainable
development
German development policy is a cornerstone of a
global structural and peace policy, helping improve
living conditions in partner countries. It aims to
defeat hunger and poverty around the world and
to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. Ger­
many’s development policy follows the Agenda 2030
for sustainable development, which was adopted
by the General Assembly of the
United Nations in 2015. At its heart
are 17 sustainable development
goals (SDGs) that aim to promote
sustainable social, economic and
environmental development. The
SDGs ranging from eradicating
hunger and ensuring equal access
to education for all, to achieving
gender equality and taking cli-
mate action and promoting peace.
The Federal Government is a
trusted and robust partner when
it comes to implementing the
 PARTNER S IN EU ROP E AND A ROUND THE WORLD
development agenda. As the
second-largest provider of fund-
ing for public development work,
Germany is taking responsibility
by actively shaping global part-
nerships. Germany has consist-
ently achieved the UN target
of investing at least 0.7% of GDP
in development activities. Support
for projects in partner countries
is provided by GIZ (the Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Internation-
ale Zusammenarbeit), the KfW
banking group and other
organisations.
58 | 59
EUROPE’S FIRST MINISTRY
FOR DEVELOPMENT
In the years after the Second World War, Germany it-
self received billions of dollars of aid from the USA.
For decades it has implemented an active develop-
ment policy and in 1961 became the first country in
Europe to establish a Ministry for Development. Ger-
man policy prioritises promoting ways for people to
help themselves, acting as part of a broad partnership
that includes members of the public, private enter-
prise, and state and civil society organisations as well
as governments. The Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ) sees its role as
a ministry of transformation, promoting the global
transition to a sustainable, climate and environmen-
tally friendly economic system, while at the same
time strengthening peace, freedom and human rights.
Significant aspects of German development policy
are combating hunger and poverty, protecting the
climate and species diversity, and improving health
and education. It also prioritises gender equality, fair
supply chains, and the benefits of digitalisation and
technology transfer. It also seeks to boost private in-
vestment to promote sustainable development.
GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR
FOOD SECURITY
The war against hunger remains a key challenge.
Every year, the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-
operation and Development invests around 2 bil-
lion euros in global food security and agricultural
development. Promoting small-scale agriculture in
Africa is a key focus of this work. Germany is also the
second-largest state donor to the World Food Pro-
gramme (WFP).
Climate and
environment
C L I M AT E P O L I C Y P I O N E E R
Germany intends to set the standard for climate protection at a nation-
al and international level. Protecting nature and the environment has
been a priority for many years. A summary.

T R A N S F O R M I N G E N E R G Y F O R T H E N E X T G E N E R AT I O N
Phasing out coal, gas and oil completely is a key priority for German
politics. A massive expansion of renewable sources is underway to
achieve this.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L C L I M AT E CO O P E R AT I O N
From global climate conferences to bilateral agreements, Germany is
pushing for climate protection at an international level. It is particu-
larly committed to its responsibility towards developing and emerging
countries.

MOBILITY FOR THE FUTURE

Sustainable and innovative forms of mobility are a priority for
Germany, from expanding electrical mobility to boosting rail travel.

V I TA L DI V E RS ITY
Germany is committed to protecting biodiversity at home and
around the world.
 By 2030, around AROUND
80% 48,000
SPECIES
of electricity will come from
live in
renewable sources.
Germany.

There will be at least

C L I M AT E A N D E N V I R O N M E N T
15 Million
7 Facts electric cars
in Germany by 2030.

Nature is allowed to
thrive undisturbed in

Since
16 NATIONAL PARKS

1994
the Basic Law has
required the state Germany
to protect the contributes over THE
environment. 5 1.5° TARGET
BILLION from the Paris
EUROS Agreement is the top
priority for German
each year to climate protection
international policy.
climate funding.
 CL IMATE A ND E NVIRONM E NT
Climate policy
pioneer
Climate protection is a top priority for Ger-
many. The key goal is to expand renewable energy
sources at home and abroad.
Germany aims to become a climate-neutral industrial
nation by 2045. This puts the Federal Republic at the
forefront of international efforts to combat the cli-
mate crisis. The planned energy transformation is key
to success, with a rapid transition from fossil fuels to
renewables. Germany has already decided to phase out
nuclear and coal-fired electricity generation. At the
beginning of 2022, the Federal Government stepped
up measures to accelerate the energy transformation
in order to end Germany’s dependence on fossil fuel
imports as soon as possible.
Germany’s climate policy is guided by the 2015
UNFCCC Paris Agreement, as well as Agenda 2030 and
the principle of climate justice. Under the Paris Agree-
Nature and agriculture in harmony
62 | 63
ment, the international commu­
nity set itself the target of keeping
global warming well below 2° and
below 1.5° if possible. The Federal
Government considers this climate
protection target a “top priority”. In
order to achieve it, the government
intends to restructure the social
market economy into a socio-envi-
ronmental market economy.
Protecting nature and the environ-
ment have been high on the
agenda in Germany for decades.
Combating species extinction is a
particularly high priority for the
Federal Government.
CLEAR GOALS FOR GERMANY’S
CLIMATE PROTECTION LAW
Explicit guidelines for climate pro-
tection have been set down in law
since May 2021. The law requires
Germany to reduce its greenhouse
gas emissions by at least 65% com-
pared to 1990 levels by 2030. That
should reach 88% by 2040 and by
2045 Germany must ultimately
achieve green house gas neutrality.
This means there is a balance be-
tween the rate of greenhouse gas
emissions and how quickly they
break down.
There have already been substan-
tial cuts to greenhouse gas emis-
sions in Germany since 1990. By
2021 emissions were down 40% to
762 million tonnes. However, that
must be cut to at least 438 million
tonnes by 2030.
SETTING THE COURSE FOR THE ENERGY
TRANSFORMATION
The energy transformation is the defining project of
this century and the Federal Government intends to
make decisive progress this decade. By 2023, 80% of
Germany’s energy needs will have to be met by re-
newable sources such as wind or solar power. It had
originally been planned to phase out coal by 2038,
but that too will be achieved during this decade. Coal-
fired electricity generation is considered one of the
most serious causes of harmful CO2 emissions. In late
2011 Germany decided to gradually phase out nuclear
power. The last nuclear power station will be taken of-
fline by 2023 at the latest.
Security and economic policy concerns make it ne­
cessary to implement the energy transformation as
quickly as possible. The Federal Government intends
P R OT E C T I N G I N S E C T S
Insects make up almost three quarters of all
animal species in Germany. They are a vital
part of the ecosystem. Insects pollinate plants
so they can reproduce. They are integral to nu-
trient cycles, as well as breaking down organic
materials, controlling biological pests, clean-
ing water and maintaining fertile soils. How-
ever, there are fewer and fewer insects, and the
decline in insect populations is affecting both
total numbers and species diversity. The Fed-
eral Ministry for the Environment has created
the Action Programme for Insect Protection
to put a halt to this trend.
to use measures such as speeding
up planning and approval proced­
ures for solar and wind power fa-
cilities to support the restructuring
of energy supplies. At the same
time, Germany will invest over 200
billion euros in climate protection
by 2026.
TRUSTED PARTNER FOR
CLIMATE POLICY
Germany is strongly committed
to global cooperation on climate
protection. After all, the only way
to achieve intended limits to tem-
perature increases is through con-
certed action by the international
community. One core element of
this is the European Union’s Green
Deal. It aims to make Europe the
first climate-neutral continent by
2050. Germany’s support includes
reforms to EU emissions trading
and a CO2 price escalator, which
will incentivise climate protection.
At the same time, the Federal Gov-
ernment plans to forge further
climate partnerships with other
countries outside Europe, par-
ticularly in major emerging econ­
omies. One benefit from these will
be to help other countries phase
out coal-fired electricity gener­
ation. Following the 2021 Bun-
destag elections, climate foreign
policy was reaffirmed as a key pri-
ority for the Federal Foreign Office.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena
Baerbock described the primary

object­ive as “Using every tool we
have to improve climate protec-
tion and to facilitate sustainable
development for every country on
earth.” She also identifies the cli-
mate crisis as “the major security
policy issue of the age”. She also
stresses that climate foreign policy
is an integral part of any security
strategy: “Every tonne of CO2 that
can be reduced, every tenth of a
degree less global warming makes
a contribution to the security of
humankind.”
PROTECTING THE ENVIRON-
MENT – A NATIONAL OBJECTIVE
Germany is also committed to im-
The UNESCO Spreewald Biosphere Reserve near Berlin not only helps nature, but gives people a
chance to relax.
CL IMATE A ND E NVIRONM E NT 64 | 65
proving protection for the natural world and biodiver-
sity, both at home and internationally. Since 1994, the
Basic Law has required the state to protect the natu-
ral environment. The Action Plan on Nature-based
Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity is one way the
Federal Government aims to boost efforts to maintain
biodiversity (the diversity of genes, species and natural
habitats). Over 4 billion euros are available until 2026
for the programme, which aims to help restore natural
ecosystems such as forests, meadows and moorland.
Germany is also actively engaged in promoting species
protection, such as under the Washington Convention.
The Convention protects endangered plant and animal
species from excessive exploitation by internation-
al trade. Around the world over a million species are
threatened with extinction, with many at risk of dying
out in the next few decades.
 P H OTOVO LTA I C P O W E R

2.2 million
The number of solar power facilities in Ger-
many in March 2022. The vast majority are
on the roofs of private houses. One in ten
houses in Germany has its own photovoltaic
equipment. They supply almost 10% of the
electricity produced in Germany.
 CL IMATE A ND E NVIRONM E NT 66 | 67

guarantee energy supplies that are

cleaner, cheaper and safer in future.
Transforming DECISION TO PHASE OUT
energy for the next COAL AND NUCLEAR ENERGY
Germany started phasing out nu-
generation clear and coal-fired electricity gen-
eration at an early stage. In 2000 the
then Federal Government made an
The energy transformation is being driven forward as agreement with German energy
a high priority in Germany. The core elements are im- companies to phase out nuclear
proving energy efficiency and expanding renewables power. After the disaster at the
as quickly as possible. Fukushima nuclear power plant
in Japan in 2011, the decision was
Instead of generating electricity from oil, coal, gas or taken to cease all nuclear power
nuclear power, in future Germany will get its power generation by the end of 2022. The
from the wind, sun, water and biomass. By 2030 at least last nuclear power station will be
80% of the electricity used in Germany will be pro- taken offline by 2023 at the latest.
duced from renewable sources. This fundamental shift
in energy supplies is a key precondition for Germany A law passed in 2020 also requires
to transform itself into a climate-neutral industrial na- that Germany phases out all coal-
tion by 2045. An additional challenge arises from the fired electricity generation no later
fact that expanding renewables must cover expected than 2038. The coal-producing re-
increases in demand, such as from the greater use of gions in Germany that are affected
electrical mobility. by the change are being given as-
sistance with the necessary struc-
In response to security and economic policy concerns, tural transformation. The Federal
Germany intends at the same time to end its depend- Government that took office at the
ency on oil and gas imports. The Federal Republic has end of 2021 is striving to phase out
few natural resources of its own, so it must import the coal earlier, ideally by 2030.
majority of its fossil fuels from other countries. The
rapid switch to renewable energy sources therefore also SETTING A COURSE EARLY FOR
serves to minimise and ultimately completely remove R ENEWABLE ENERGY
the associated dependencies. The energy transform­ Germany first began promoting
ation is the defining project for this generation, and will regenerative energy sources in the

Solar power facilities – easily scalable and highly flexible

1990s and passed the Renewable Energies Sources Act
(EEG) in 2000. The law included what was known as
the EEG levy, which distributed the increased cost of
expanding environmentally friendly generation across
consumers on a proportional basis. The Federal Govern-
ment scrapped the levy in 2022 in order to reduce the
burden felt by consumers due to sharp rises in the cost
of energy.
Thanks to government funding, a significant part of
Germany’s electricity now comes from renewable
sources. This amounted to around 49% in the first 6
months of 2022. The Federal Government intends
to drive forward the expansion of renewables in the
2020s. In concrete terms this will mean the creation
of new wind farms, on land but primarily offshore.
All suitable roof areas should be used to generate
solar energy, and there are plans for more solar farms
in agricultural areas.
However, the energy transformation not only requires
new generating facilities – a suitable electricity grid
is also needed. Hundreds of kilometres of new high
voltage transmission lines will need to be built, above
all to carry electricity generated from wind power in
northern Germany to the large industrial complexes
in the south of the country. The Federal Ministry for
Economic Affairs and Climate Action describes the
expansion of the national grid and local distribution
networks as “critical to the success of the energy trans-
formation”.
GREEN HYDROGEN – A CORE COMPONENT
OF THE ENERGY TRANSFORMATION
The use of green hydrogen (hydrogen is produced us-
ing electricity from renewable sources) is considered
vital to the success of the energy transformation. This
is particularly important to make industrial activity sus-
tainable. For example, green hydrogen can be used in
applications where electrification appears impractical
or impossible, such as the steel and chemical industries,
as well as aviation and shipping.
Germany's green hydrogen strat-
egy places a strong emphasis on
international partnerships. This
is due to the need to import large
quantities of green hydrogen,
which is easiest to produce in areas
where there are adequate sources
of renewable solar or wind energy.
One way the Federal Government
is meeting this need is by expand-
ing strategic partnerships, such as
with countries in the Middle East
and North Africa, southern and
western Africa, and Australia. At
the same time Germany is promot-
ing research and development in
green hydrogen with the goal of
creating modern and future-ori-
ented climate protection technol-
ogies to become a leader on the
international stage.
USING ENERGY MORE
EFFICIENTLY
Germany not only needs to pro-
duce more green energy. It also
needs to use energy more effi-
ciently and sparingly. After all, as
the saying goes: “the cleanest and
cheapest energy is the energy you
don't even use.” Primary energy
consumption has already dropped
considerably. In 2020, energy use
was down almost 17% compared
to 2008 and the aim is to achieve a
50% reduction by 2050.
There is clear potential to make
savings in buildings and homes.
These use around 35% of Germa-
ny’s total consumption, such as
for heating and hot water. Ger­

Germany’s largest wind farms are in the North Sea.
many is providing government
funding to help members of the
public renovate their homes in an
energy-efficient way. Since 2000,
over 5 million property owners
have carried out renovation of
this kind, such as replacing old
heating systems or installing en-
ergy-saving windows.
Digitalisation is also helping make
the energy transformation a suc-
cess by introducing intelligent
CL IMATE A ND E NVIRONM E NT 68 | 69
metering systems, for example. Analogue electricity
meters are increasingly being replaced by “smart me-
ters”. The benefits include ensuring that the bill payer
pays only for the electricity actual used and operating
time. This can make it easier for consumers to identi-
fy the best way for them to save energy.
Intelligent metering systems also help achieve
the right balance between electricity generation
and usage on the grid. For example, if in future
more and more members of the public charge
electric cars at the same time during the night, these me-
ters can help ensure there is enough electricity available.
 The energy transformation –
facts and figures
E L E C T R I C I T Y F R O M S U N , W I N D A N D WAT E R
Much of Germany’s gross electricity generation comes from solar, wind and hydropower.

Offshore wind energy Photovoltaic power

24.4 TWh 50.0 TWh

21 .
.4% 4 %
10

21 .6%
. 3%

Biomass
38

Onshore wind energy 8.2 50.4 TWh

%
89.5 TWh

Hydropower
2021, source: Umweltbundesamt
Geothermal electricity generation not shown due to limited quantities (0.2 TWh)
19.1 TWh

SOLAR POWER

WIND ENERGY

28,000
The number of onshore wind
4.7 million
The number of solar power
and solar heating systems
energy facilities in Germany in 2021. in Germany in 2021.
 CL IMATE A ND E NVIRONM E NT 70 | 71

C L E A R C L I M AT E AC T I O N G OA L S
Germany aims to become a climate-neutral
industrial nation by 2045.
“We have made
a commitment: 1,400

(millions of tonnes of CO2. Equivalents)

Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany
Germany must be 1,200
1,249
1,000
-35.1%
climate neutral
800
by 2045. 600
810 -65%
We are faced 400
438
with the greatest 200

transformation 0
1990 2019 2030
of our industry
and economy
for at least By 2030
By 2040
Germany aims to make
100 years.” Germany aims
at least 88% reductions
to reduce greenhouse
and achieve greenhouse
F E D E R A L C H A N C E L LO R gas emissions by 65%
gasneutrality
OLAF SCHOLZ compared to 1990.
by 2045.

E X PA N DI N G R E N E WA B L E E N E R G Y
Renewable energy has greatly increased as a proportion of gross electricity consumption since 2000.

50%

41.1%
40%

31.4%
30%

20% 17.1%
10.3%
10% 6.3%

0%
2000 2005 2010 2015 2021

Source: Umweltbundesamt
 Kyoto Protocol. The 2015 Paris
Agreement marked a major break-
International through, where all states made
a binding commitment under
climate cooperation international law to develop and
implement Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDC) for climate
The climate crisis demands global cooperation, as no action. The international commu-
single state or region can overcome this global challenge nity has also set itself the goal of
alone. For decades Germany has been campaigning for keeping the rise in global tempera-
climate action at an international level. In order to tures to well below 2° C and below
reinforce these efforts, the Federal Foreign Office has 1.5° C if possible.
taken over responsibility for international policies and
set itself a goal of making international climate cooper- Germany intends to use its ac-
ation a priority across all policy and departmental areas. tive climate foreign policy to
help achieve the objectives of the
A DRIVING FORCE FOR WORLD Agreement. As part of this, the
CLIMATE CONFERENCES Federal Government uses the Pe-
The COP world climate conferences held under the tersberg Climate Dialogue to lay
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate the groundwork for successful ne-
Change (UNFCCC) are a key lever in international cli- gotiations at global climate confer­
mate policy. Germany was a driving force behind the ences. Each year, high-ranking
1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the 1997 state representatives from around

M I L E S TO N E S

1971 1994 1995

Environmental policy
comes to the fore. The
Federal Government
adopts its first envir­
onmental programme.
The Federal Ministry
for the Environment,
Nature Conservation and
Reactor Safety is set up
in 1986.
Environmental conser-
vation is enshrined in the
Basic Law as a national
objective. Article 20a
states: “Mindful also of
its responsibility towards
future generations, the
state shall protect the
natural foundations of life
and animals.”
Three years after the
pioneering Earth Summit
in Rio de Janeiro, the
first UN COP climate
conference is held in Ber-
lin. From the very outset,
Germany has been a
driving force for world
climate conferences.
 CL IMATE A ND E NVIRONM E NT 72 | 73

the world gather in Germany to
take part in the Dialogue. The Fed-
eral Government also provides ac-
tive support for the work of the In-
tergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC). The IPCC issues
reports that summarise and eval-
uate the latest climate research,
thereby providing an important
foundation for science-based cli-
mate policy.
SUPPORTING
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Germany acknowledges its respon-
sibility to help developing countries
implement climate protection and
adaptation measures. Indus­trial na-
tions have pledged to mobilise 100
billion dollars each year from 2020
onwards towards this end. In 2020
Germany contributed around 5 bil-
lion euros from its budget, which
will rise to 6 billion euros by 2025 at the latest. The to-
tal contributions from public funds (including support
such as development and promotional loans) amounted
to just under 8 billion euros in 2020.
Germany is a driving force behind climate partner-
ships with other countries. For example, Germany is
working with states through the NDC partnership,
which was set up in 2016, to help them achieve their
national climate protection goals.
Germany used its G7 Presidency in 2022 to campaign
for international cooperation on climate action. At its
instigation, the G7 nations agreed to set up a Climate
Club which will effectively be open to all countries.
In addition the G7 committed themselves to push
forward Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP)
with India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Senegal. These
partnerships with pivotal countries for climate policy
in the Global South provide a powerful lever to help
implement the Paris Agreement. Germany has already
joined other countries to create a partnership of this
kind with South Africa.

2000 2011 2021

The Renewable Energies
Law comes into force. It
includes provisions to give
priority to electricity from
renewable sources for
feed in and connections
to the grid. The law
becomes a milestone.
Following the nuclear acci-
dent at Fukushima in Japan,
the government decides to
phase out nuclear power
more quickly. Standard op-
eration of all nuclear power
stations will cease by the
end of 2022. The final power
stations will be taken offline
no later than 2023.
In a new climate action
law, the Federal Gov-
ernment declares that
Germany shall be climate
neutral by 2045. The
Federal Republic intends
to use ambitious goals
to be achieved by 2030
to set an example on the
international stage.

Mobility
for the future
Transforming the transport system is an essential
element of achieving climate protection goals in Ger-
many and around the world. For this to happen, there
will need to be substantial reductions to harmful emis-
sions from the transport sector. Germany intends to
set the standard for electrical mobility markets while
also funding work on alternative fuels and massively
expanding travel by rail and bike. The long-term goal is
to completely decarbonise the transport sector.
The German government’s plans include increasing
the number of fully electric cars to at least 15 million
by 2030. Measures put in place by the Federal Gov-
ernment include an environment bonus to support
purchases of battery-powered
cars. This is accompanied by the
expansion of the charging station
infrastructure. The German car in-
dustry is also accelerating the tran-
sition. The German Association of
the Automotive Industry (VDA)
reports that manufacturers and
suppliers belonging to the associ-
ation will invest 150 billion euros
in electrical mobility, new motors
and digitalisation by 2025. German
manufacturers already offer over
80 different models of electric cars.
P ROMOTING BATTERY CELL
MANUFACTURING
Battery cell manufacturing is con-
sidered a key industry for electrical
transportation, as powerful bat-
 CL IMATE A ND E NVIRONM E NT 74 | 75

Hydrogen-powered trains must replace

diesel locomotives.

NATIONAL HYDROGEN STRATEGY

Germany intends to
Hydrogen has a key part to play in the energy
set the standard for
trans­formation, as it is a key element in developing
electrical mobility
sustaina­ble mobility. Green hydrogen can be used as a
markets. The long-
fuel in a range of contexts and is described as the “oil of
term goal is to com-
the future”. Its uses include the transportation of heavy
pletely decarbonise
goods, aviation and shipping, as battery power is often
the entire transport
not suitable in these cases. The Federal Government
sector.
adopted a national hydrogen strategy in 2020. Its goals
include supporting research into this field. Germany is
also expanding hydrogen partnerships within Europe
and around the world.

EXPANDING RAIL AND CYCLE TRANSPORT

Rail travel will make a major contribution to transpor-
tation of the future. The Federal Government’s plans
include increasing rail freight traffic by 25% by 2030
teries are needed to allow electric and doubling passenger traffic. Cycling is also being
cars to drive long distances and given a boost, with plans to expand and modernise the
charge quickly. The Federal Gov- network of cycle routes. 
ernment intends to make Germa-
ny a “Centre for Battery Research,
Manufacture and Recycling”.
Germany is working closely with
other EU partners under the aegis
of Important Projects of Common
European Interest (IPCEI) to pro-
mote battery cell manufacturing,
with numerous German firms tak-
ing part. Germany will invest over
13 billion euros by 2030 through
IPCEI projects alone. The Fed­
eral Ministry for Economic Affairs
and Climate Action has allocated
around 3 billion euros to expand
battery cell production for the
period up to 2031. More and more vehicles are filling up with electricity.

Vital diversity
Germany is a nation of great biological diversity.
Around 48,000 species of animals, 9,500 species of
plants and 14,000 species of fungi are native to the
country. Protecting the foundations of life is an official
national objective, a requirement added to the Basic
Law in 1994. From the North Sea to the Alps, 16 widely
different national parks and UNESCO biosphere re-
serves serve to protect the environment and natural
world. There are also thousands of nature reserves.
Germany is a signatory to the major international bio-
diversity conventions and numerous intergovernmen-
WA D D E N S E A N AT I O N A L PA R K
The German, Danish and Dutch North Sea
coast is a unique habitat known as the Wad-
den Sea. Huge mudflats emerge at low tide
where hundreds of thousands of migra­tory
birds can find food. The Wadden Sea is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, with three na-
tional parks and three biosphere reserves in
Germany alone. There are also national parks
in Denmark and the Netherlands. By main-
taining these, the three countries are working
together to live up to their duty to protect
this unique natural landscape between sea
and land for everyone.
tal agreements and is involved in
many programs aimed at protect-
ing the natural world. By ratifying
the UN Convention on Biological
Diversity, the governments of 196
countries have committed them-
selves to protecting the diversity of
life on Earth. Germany first adopt-
ed a national strategy on biological
diversity in 2007. The Federal Gov-
ernment considers maintaining
species diversity as “the duty of hu-
manity and an ethical obligation”.
Its support for the objectives of the
EU’s biodiversity strategy, which
include providing legal protection
for at least 30% of the continent's
land areas and 30% of its marine
area.
PRESERVING HABITATS FOR
NATURE AND ANIMALS
In Germany, 35% of native species
and 26% of native plant species are
endangered. The measures put in
place to address this include mini-
mising the harm caused to habitats
from the construction of homes
and roads, as well as keeping pol-
lutants to a minimum, such as
those due to intensive farming and
the excessive use of fertilisers. The
rate at which land is used for set-
tlements and new roads is to be re-
duced to less than 30 hectares a day
by 2030. Work is also in progress to
leave 2% of Germany’s land area
“wild” and to allow 5% of forests to
develop naturally.

BETTER PROTECTION
FOR THE SEA
The Federal Government’s Na-
tional Marine Strategy aims to
boost protection for the seas. The
seas are rich in biodiversity. They
provide raw materials, energy and
food, but are at risk around the
world from pollution and plastic
waste. Special protection zones in
the North Sea and the Baltic off
Germany’s coast are being created
to provide effective marine protec-
tion. In 2022 the United Nations
Environment Assembly (UNEA)
Research is shaping the future: how will forests cope with longer periods of lower rainfall?
CL IMATE A ND E NVIRONM E NT 76 | 77
resolved to conclude a legally binding convention by
2024 which would regulate how plastic is managed in
an environmentally friendly way, from manufacture
to consumption and recycling or disposal. The Federal
Government considers this a major success.
Insects are an essential part of ecosystems, but their
number and diversity have suffered serious declines
for years. To combat the decline in insect populations,
a comprehensive package of measures was adopt-
ed in 2021. These include improving protection for
biotopes such as meadow orchards as habitats for in-
sects. The use of pesticides in agriculture will also be
reduced and the use of glyphosate as a weedkiller will
be banned from the end of 2023.
Business and digitalisation
E CO N O M I C I N N OVAT I O N
Germany is one of the world’s strongest economies. The key foundations
for this strength are innovation, export orientation and a thriving SME
sector. The Federal Government is committed to following the principles
of a social-economic market economy. A summary.

G LO B A L P L AY E R
Exports are a particular strength for Germany. As a member of numerous
agreements and conventions, Germany guarantees stable trading con-
ditions for its partners. At the same time it scrutinises compliance with
human rights standards and promotes democracy around the world.

E N T E R P R I S E A N D I N D U S T RY 4.0
Germany’s “hidden champions” are known as the “Mittelstand”, the small
and medium-sized independent businesses that form the heart of the
German economy. Major corporations with global reputations also shape
the economic landscape. Germany’s strong industrial sector is set for a
bright future.

AT T R AC T I V E E M P LOY M E N T M A R K E T
Germany has a stable employment market with excellent career oppor-
tunities for international professionals. Many new laws and measures are
making the process of finding a job, moving to Germany and staying in
the country more and more attractive.
 GOVERNMENT-
Germany’s 2021 gross domestic SPONSORED TRAINING
product was worth around PROGRAMMES
are available for
3.6 TRILLION
EUROS. 324
professions.

Around

B U S I N E S S A N D D I G I TA L I S AT I O N
99%
7 Facts of businesses in
Germany are
small and medium-sized
enterprises.

Germany is the world’s

FOURTH-LARGEST
ECONOMY,
behind only
Around the US, China and Japan.
26,000
PATENTS WERE
REGISTERED
in Germany in 2021,
more than any other
There are around

45
country in Europe.
Germany is one
of the world’s

TOP THREE
exporters.
MILLION PEOPLE
in employment.
 B U SINESS A ND DIGITA LISATION 80 | 81

On the global market, Germany is

Innovative particularly successful in the auto-
motive industry, mechanical and
Economy plant engineering and the chem-
icals industry. Germany also has
a lively and diverse startup scene.
Germany has the world’s fourth-largest Small and medium-sized enter-
economy. It is unique for its combination of a thriv- prises form the backbone of the
ing culture of innovation, a focus on exports and a German economy, hidden “Mittel-
robust SME sector. The Federal Government aims to stand” champions from across the
create a social-environmental market economy in country that have achieved success
Germany. on the global stage.

Germany’s economy is the largest in the European The driving force behind Ger-
Union and the fourth-largest in the world, after the US, many’s economic progress is the
China and Japan. As such, it enjoys a strong network thriving culture of innovation in
of partnerships around the world, and regularly ranks German businesses. In order to
in the top three nations for imports as well as exports. secure and boost this success, Ger-
Germany’s GDP in 2021 was worth around 3.6 trillion many invests over 3% of GDP in
euros. That year, German exports were worth around research and development. This in-
1.375 billion euros, while imports were worth over vestment is worth over 100 billion
1.200 billion euros. Germany’s most important trade euros a year, with over two-thirds
partners are the EU member states, the US and China. going to businesses. Germany is

Frankfurt am Main, one of the world’s major financial centres

also providing targeted funding for new and disruptive
technologies, innovations and business models. This
included setting up the Federal Agency for Disruptive
Innovation (SPRIND) in 2019 and the German Agency
for Transfer and Innovation (DATI) in 2021. The Fed-
eral Government adopted a new AI Strategy in 2018
and created a similar Startup Strategy in the summer
of 2022.
FROM SOCIAL MARKET ECONOMY TO
SOCIAL-ENVIRONMENTAL MARKET ECONOMY
Since 1949 German economic policy has been based
on the model of a social market economy. Developed
in the post-war years by Ludwig Erhard (who would
later become Federal Chancellor), this concept has kept
Germany’s economy on an upward track. It guarantees
that businesses can trade freely while simultaneously
striving to create social checks and balances.
The Federal Government now aims to develop the
proven model of the social market economy into a so-
cial-environmental market economy. Climate action is
now considered a core element of economic policy, as
is evident in the creation of the first-ever Federal Min-
istry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action follow-
ing the 2021 Bundestag election. Robert Habeck (Alli-
ance 90/The Greens) is the head of the new ministry.
INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISE AND
EUROPE’S FINANCIAL HUB
A thriving ‘Milttelstand’ is a key characteristic of the
German economy, with small and medium-sized en-
terprises making up over 99% of all businesses in the
country. They provide over half of all jobs and employ
around 80% of trainees and apprentices. As such they
are a pillar of Germany’s dual vocational educational
system, which links theoretical teaching at vocational
colleges and practical training in the workplace. This
dual model enjoys an outstanding reputation around
the world and has been adopted by
many other countries.
Successful major international
corporations also help shape Ger-
many as a place to do business.
Many are listed on the DAX stock
exchange in Frankfurt, the key fi-
nancial centre on the continent of
Europe. Frankfurt is also home to
the headquarters of the European
Central Bank (ECB), whose duties
include monitoring the price sta-
bility of the euro.
A STABLE AND ATTRACTIVE
EMPLOYMENT MARKET
Germany’s employment market
has proved its resilience even dur-
ing periods of crisis such as the
Covid-19 pandemic. Germany has
one of the highest rates of employ-
ment in the European Union and
one of the lowest unemployment
rates. Youth unemployment is
also very low. Despite restrictions
caused by measures to fight the
Covid-19 pandemic, unemploy-
ment in Germany in 2021 was only
5.7%. Supplementary payments to
workers on reduced hours have
also proved their worth. Through
the “Kurzarbeitergeld” system, the
state picks up a large part of sal­
ary shortfalls when employers cut
workers’ hours in response to chal-
lenging economic conditions. This
makes it possible for employees to
keep their jobs even during a crisis,

and for employers to hold onto
their staff.
Well trained specialist professionals
are essential to the competitiveness
of the German economy. Given this
importance, Germany is improving
the domestic legal, financial and
regulatory environment, such as
by expanding whole-day childcare
provision. Changes to legislation,
such as a law making it easier for
qualified professionals to emigrate
to Germany, will also help attract
skilled workers from abroad – which
is important given the demographic
transition underway in Germany.
High-quality training and ongoing professional development help professionals gain the qualifications
they need for good jobs.
B U SINESS A ND DIGITA LISATION 82 | 83
DIGITALISATION FOR THE ECONOMY
Like almost every other country around the world,
Germany is faced with the challenge of promoting
digitalisation in the economy and also of how to shape
the digital transformation in the world of work. To help
make this happen, Germany is expanding its digital in-
frastructure in the form of broadband and 5G mobile
technology. By developing technology for the Internet
of Things (IoT), Germany is providing targeted support
for Industry 4.0, where production processes are inte-
grated with ways of communicating over the Internet.
Through its Startup Strategy, the Federal Government
also aims to make Germany a leading location in
Europe. A range of measures and initiatives are helping
clear away legal and regulatory barriers to setting up
and financing startups, across areas such as innovation,
digitalisation and sustainability.
 The Kiel canal is one of the largest
transport arteries in Europe.
Global player
Germany is an export-focused nation with a strong
network of partners around the world. The Federal
Government campaigns for open markets, and free
and fair trade based on clear and robust regulations.
Along with promoting multilateral trade liberalisation,
supporting the European Union free trade agreement
is also a priority. German economic diplomacy rests on
key three pillars: 226 foreign diplomatic missions, the
offices of 140 chambers of commerce abroad (AHK),
delegations and representations of German business in
92 countries, and the Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI)
economic development agency of the Federal Repub-
lic of Germany. They provide targeted support to help
German SMEs gain a foothold in
foreign markets.
S TRONG EXPORT FOCUS
Germany is closely interwoven
into the global economy. Exports
account for one in every two
euros earned. According to the
World Trade Organization’s an-
nual rankings, Germany ranks as
the world’s third-largest export
nation, following the US and Chi-
na. Germany’s key export goods
 B U SINESS A ND DIGITA LISATION 84 | 85

are vehicles and vehicle components, with a volume

of 210 billion dollars in 2021. These are followed by
machines (196 billion dollars) and chemical products
(137 billion dollars). Along with computing and optics,
these three sectors account for almost half of Germa-
ny’s export volume. Germany’s partners in the EU are
the primary target market, followed by the US and the
People’s Republic of China. The majority of imports in
2021 came from China, the Netherlands and the US.
Trade and business relationships with Asian countries
are continu­ally growing in importance. Almost half of
German businesses have invested abroad, and German
companies employ over 7 million people abroad.

CHAMPIONING FREE TRADE

Germany is closely involved in shaping how inter­
national trade is regulated. In addition to multilateral
trade liberalisation under the aegis of the World Trade
Organization (WTO), bilateral free trade agreements
(FTA) through the European Union are a priority for
Germany. The EU has already concluded around a
dozen FTAs with partners, with plans to reach FTAs
with many other countries. The EU-Japan Agreement
came into force in 2019, creating the world’s largest
In the annual economic area. Other examples include the EU-Can-
WTO rankings, ada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
Germany is regularly (CETA) and the EU-Vietnam FTA. Efforts are being
among the top three made to conclude an FTA between the EU and the As-
largest exporters, sociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
behind the US and
China. EUROPEAN LOGISTICS HUB
Germany is a transhipment hub for the flow of goods
in Europe and the world as a whole. More goods transit
through Germany than any other EU country. Three
million people are employed in the logistics sector.
The Port of Hamburg, which processes around 9 mil-
lion shipping containers each year, is a gateway to the
world. Frankfurt Airport handled around 2.2 million
tonnes of air freight in 2021, substantially more than
any other European airport.
BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
German trade policy places a particular emphasis on
compliance with human rights standards and pro-
moting human rights. At the end of 2016, the German
government adopted its National Action Plan “Imple-
mentation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business
and Human Rights” (NAP). It is based on the UN Guid-
ing Principles on Business and Human Rights, which
were adopted in 2011. Through a set of uniform and
verifiable standards, the NAP imposes a responsibility
on German businesses to uphold human rights along
their global supply chains. Sector-specific dialogues
and initiatives have been developed to help imple-
ment the NAP. The automotive industry dialogues, for
example, involves businesses, associations and civil so-
ciety groups, and has proposed wide-ranging recom-
mendations to implement the UN
Guiding Principles. Another forum
is the Textile Partnership, where
the Federal Government works
with NGOs, businesses and trade
associations to develop standards
for a social, ecological and cor-
ruption-free textile and clothing
industry.
P ROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
SUPPLY CHAINS
Working in partnership with inter-
national organisations such as the
EU, the UN, the International La-
bor Organisation (ILO), the OECD,
as well as multilateral forums
such as G7, G20 and the Asia-Eu-
rope Meeting (ASEM), the Federal
Government is campaigning for a
level playing field and sustainable
supply chains. It is paying particu-
lar attention to the responsibility

M I L E S TO N E S

1950 1964 1990

Germany is swiftly rebuilt
from the ruins of the
Second World War. The
economy grows so quickly
in the 1950s and 1960s
that it is known as the
Economic Miracle.
There are soon shortages of
industrial workers. Germany
invites 14 million “Gast­
arbeiter”. The millionth of
these migrant workers arrives
in 1964. Three million of
them settle in Germany.
Today, a quarter of Germany’s
83 million people come from
migrant backgrounds.
Following reunification, the
“Treuhandanstalt” agency is set
up to manage the transition
of businesses from the East
German planned economy into
the social market economy.
The efforts to rebuild the East
German economy are known as
“Aufbau Ost”.
 B U SINESS A ND DIGITA LISATION 86 | 87

that German businesses have for makes businesses responsible for safety at work, ade-
their supply chains. A 2018/2019 quate pay, the right to join a trades union, preventing
review of the implementation of child and forced labour, protecting the rights of indig-
the NAP revealed that voluntary enous people and protecting the environment at every
measures alone are not enough stage of the supply chain.
to ensure that businesses are ful-
ly meeting their duties of care. In The Federal Government is also campaigning for the
response, the Federal Government creation of European duty of care regulations. These
developed legislation that requires would include duties to protect the environment and
busi­nesses to identify and combat climate, in addition to protecting human rights. 
human rights risks in their supply
chains. Under the LkSG law, busi-
nesses are also required to help
victims of human rights viola-
tions access compensation. The
law applies to businesses based
in Germany as well as the offices
and branches of foreign business-
es with at least 1,000 employees.
From 2023 it will apply to business-
es with more than 3,000 employees
and from 2024 for businesses with
1,000 or more employees. It also
Fair working conditions – a German policy goal

2016 2020 2021

The National Action Plan for
Business and Human Rights
is adopted in December. The
supply chain regulations
initiated by the government
in 2021 will protect human
rights in global supply
chains.
Germany’s green tech
sector is blooming.
According to the
“GreenTech Atlas”,
the industry is already
worth 392 billion euros
and is expected to
double
by 2030.
The newly elected coalition
government announces
its plans to transform the
German economy into a
climate-neutral industrial
country. The goal is the
creation of a social-
environmental market
economy.
Germany’s role in the global economy –
facts and figures

T H E F I V E L A R G E S T T R A DI N G N AT I O N S
(share of global exports)

USA Germany

8.1% 7.8%

Netherlands

3.8%

Japan
China

14.7% 3.6%

2020, source: UNCTAD

F R E E A N D FA I R T R A D E

1.4
TRILLION
EUROS 140 offices
The value of German exports in 92 countries around the world.
Germany’s Chambers of Commerce
in 2021.
Abroad show that Germany is fighting for
open markets and free and fair trade.
 B U SINESS A ND DIGITA LISATION 88 | 89

T H E F O U R M O S T I M P O RTA N T
E X P O RT S E C TO R S I N 2021
“Let me be absolutely (in billions of euros)
clear: deglobalisation
is not the answer. Of Vehicles and vehicle parts

course we need to 210

reduce some of our Machines

196
strategic dependen-
Chemical products
cies. But at the same
137
time we must make
Computing products / Optics
sure that much- 102
needed diversification
does not become an
excuse for isolation-
ism, tariff barriers and
protectionism.” 97% 43%
of exporters are small
F E D E R A L C H A N C E L LO R of German businesses
or medium-sized
OLAF SCHOLZ invest abroad.
enterprises.

T H E F I V E L A R G E S T G E R M A N CO M PA N I E S
(by employees globally)

Volkswagen (automotive)
672,800
Deutsche Post/DHL (logistics)
592,300
Schwarz Gruppe (retail)
550,000
Edeka (retail)
404,900
Robert Bosch (electronics)
402,600
2021, source: F.A.Z., Federal Statistical Office
 MEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE

5.8 million
people are employed in the healthcare sys-
tem in Germany. The pharmaceuticals indus-
try underlined its international importance
during the pandemic. From hospitals to
research labs, nursing stations to medical
technology factories, employers everywhere
are looking for staff.
 B U SINESS A ND DIGITA LISATION 90 | 91

economy, and is a significant

source of innovations. There were
around 259,000 businesses in the
creative industries in 2020. The
SMEs and Berlin-Brandenburg region is an
international hotspot for startups
Industry 4.0 and the creative industries.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE
Germany’s small and medium-sized businesses, INDUSTRIES
known as the “Mittelstand”, are the lifeblood of the Alongside Germany’s SMEs, the
country’s economy. Despite the presence of many country’s economic strength
global players and internationally famous ma- comes from the strength and in-
jor corporations, Germany’s 3.5 million small and novation of its industrial sector.
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), freelancers and Above all, Germany’s automotive
self-employed professionals are the distinctive feature industry, which employs around
of the structure of the country’s economy. Over 99% 800,000 people, is considered a
of German businesses are SMEs. These are businesses showpiece of the “Made in Ger­
with an annual turnover below 50 million euros and many” brand. The six leading
fewer than 500 employees. Many migrants work in badges are Volkswagen, BMW,
SMEs, and over 800,000 people from migrant back- Mercedes-Benz, Opel (Stellantis)
grounds own their own business, making migrants in and the VW-owned Audi and Por-
Germany a major factor in the economy. sche. These help to make the Ger-
man car industry a pioneer in the
Germany’s SMEs also play a major role on the inter­ transition to sustainable mobility.
national stage. Globally there are 2,700 “Hidden Cham-
pions”, around half of which are German SMEs. They In order to stay competitive, Ger-
provide highly innovative products and solutions, a man businesses are investing
close relationship with their customers and quick deci- billions in research and develop-
sion-making, thanks to which they are market leaders ment (R&D). Electrical propulsion,
in Europe and around the world. The creative industry, digital networking and assisted
which is dominated by SMEs, has established itself in or even autonomous driving are
Germany’s economic structure. It is a pioneer as Ger- megatrends in automotive trans-
many transitions into a digital and knowledge-based portation. Roughly two-thirds of

Research that guarantees us a future: virtual reality in medical technology

cars made by German manufacturers are produced in
factories abroad.
The chemicals and plant and mechanical engineering
sectors have long been particular strengths of the Ger-
man economy. BASF was founded in 1865 and has its
headquarters in Ludwigshafen. With around 118,000
employed at 366 production facilities in over 90 coun-
tries around the world, BASF is one of the world’s lar­
gest chemical companies. Germany’s leading plant and
mechanical engineering business is also a global leader
in the key sector of electronics and electrical engineer-
ing. Siemens has sites in over 200 countries and is a
global player which provides highly innovative solu-
tions from transportation to renewables.
ECONOMIC HUBS IN GERMANY
Germany’s main economic hubs are the large metro-
politan regions such as the Ruhr. The Munich and
Stuttgart metropolitan areas are known for high tech
and automotive manufacturing. The Rhine-Neckar re-
gion is a centre of the chemicals and IT industry, while
Frankfurt am Main is the financial centre. Nuremberg
is a leading centre of industry and the service indus-
tries, while Cologne and Hamburg
are known for their ports, aviation
and media industries. High per­
formance high-tech centres have
flourished in former East Germany,
particularly the “lighthouse re-
gions” of Dresden, Jena, Leipzig,
Leuna and Berlin-Brandenburg.
Car makers headed the list of the
largest German businesses meas-
ured by turnover in 2021. Volks­
wagen was in first place, while
Mercedes-Benz Group and BMW
Group held places 3 and 5 respect­
ively.
The service industries also have a
significant effect on Germany as an
industrial location. Some 80% of
businesses work in this sector,
where they generate almost 70% of
Germany’s GDP. They also provide
three-quarters of all jobs, employ-
ing around 30 million people.

Digitalisation maximises flexibility in
manufacturing.
Open-minded
and innovative:
networking,
expertise and
sharing ideas are
future-proofing
the German
economy.
ON THE WAY TO INDUSTRY 4.0
Germany is one of the world’s
leading industrial nations. German
businesses are highly specialised
developers of complex goods, es-
pecially capital goods and innov­
ative production technologies. The
German economy’s ability to inno-
vate is considered the driving force
behind the country’s economic
strength. Intensive research and
development activity is yielding
very positive results. The Federal
Government’s high-tech strategy
is also a key source of momentum.
This includes the creation of the
Federal Agency for Disruptive In-
novation (SPRIND) in 2019 and the
German Agency for Transfer and
Innovation (DATI) in 2021. In 2020,
106 billion euros were allocated
to R&D in Germany, equivalent to
over 3% of GDP, and well above the
OECD average of 2.4%.
B U SINESS A ND DIGITA LISATION 92 | 93
INNOVATION CHAMPIONS
OF EUROPE
Germany is considered the innovation champion of
Europe. German businesses submitted around 26,000
applications to the European Patent Office in Munich
in 2021 alone. In the same year, 58,600 inventions were
registered with the German Patent and Trade Mark
Office (DPMA). Bosch, a supplier to the automotive in-
dustry, submitted the most applications, at just under
4,000. BMW were second with 1,860, followed by the
Schaeffler-Group (1,800), also from the automotive in-
dustry. Precisely 134,715 German patents were in force
in 2021.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION FOR INDUSTRY
The economy is going through the fourth industrial
revolution. Driven by the Internet, the real and virtual
worlds are merging to become an “Internet of Things”.
The Federal Government aims to provide support to
business and academia with the development and
implementation of “Industry 4.0”, with the aim of po­
sitioning Germany as a leading provider of these tech-
nologies. What makes Industry 4.0 different is how
products are highly individualised within production
systems and environments that are digital and very
flexible. Industry 4.0 has been around in many factor­
ies for some time now, where intelligent monitoring
and decision-making processes guide and optimise
businesses and entire value creation networks in near
real-time. This fundamental transition of production
procedures and working processes requires workers
with high levels of qualifications who can act inde-
pendently and autonomously where necessary. Ger-
many’s unique system of dual vocational training and
a rigorous strategy for ongoing professional develop-
ment in the workplace are laying the groundwork for
this transition.

Attractive
employment market
Germany's stable employment market offers attract­
ive career opportunities to professionals from around
the world. Germany almost achieved full employment
in early 2020, with 45 million people in employment.
This success is built on Germany’s strong economy,
but the employment market has also been supported
by tried-and-tested crisis response measures imple-
mented by the government. For example, government
intervention to support workers on reduced hours had
already proved its worth during the 2008-2009 finan-
cial crisis, and made a vital contribution to mitigating
the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Where a crisis
causes a significant loss of work to businesses, the
“Kurzarbeit” scheme allows employers to temporarily
transfer employees to state-supported reduced hours.
This helps avoid redundancies and makes it easier to
restart work after the crisis.
As part of creating a modern, fair and transparent em-
ployment market, the Federal Government has imple-
mented a number of groundbreaking projects in em-
ployment policy. The legal minimum wage came into
force in 2015 and is updated regularly. A minimum
quota for women in leadership positions is boosting
equality. Since 2016, all publicly traded businesses that
are required to carry out full worker participation have
had to ensure women hold a minimum of 30% of seats
on their supervisory board. The regulations on pay
scale uniformity ensure that employers do not apply
different pay scales to the same work.
PLENTY OF FLEXIBILITY FOR WORKERS
The world of work in Germany is going through a
period of change. Digitalisation is making its mark, but
another significant change is that
many roles no longer need to be
carried out from specific locations,
along with the opportunity to
work from home at least some of
the time. The Covid-19 pandemic
gave a huge boost to mobile work-
ing, with up to a third of employ-
ees now working from home at
least part of the time. The Federal
Government is ensuring that their
rights and protections are guar-
anteed, even when working away
from the office. Many workers in
Germany now have far more influ-
ence over how they organise their
working time than even a few years
ago. In addition to working part
time, they can use flexitime to de-
cide for themselves (within certain
limits) when their work day begins
and ends. Employees also have
the right to reduce their working
hours for up to six months to allow
them to care for relatives.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTER-
NATIONAL PROFESSIONALS
There is an important trend in
increasing mobility within the
Euro­pean labour market. Freedom
of movement is one of the fun-
damental principles of the EU, so
migration within Europe is an im-
portant issue for professionals, and
Germany is a major destination.
Germany lacks skilled workers.
Given the ongoing demographic
transition, one of the most press-

Skilled professionals from around the world, so new regulations and laws are making it easier for them to find work.
ing challenges facing the Federal
Government is ensuring there are
enough skilled workers for Ger-
many’s economy. According to the
Association of German Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (DIHK),
over half of businesses were not
able to fill vacancies in 2021 due to
a lack of suitable applicants. This
was a particular issue for the care
sector and the skilled crafts and
trades, as well as engineering and
technical careers.
Germany has made long-term
preparations to support the mi-
B U SINESS A ND DIGITA LISATION 94 | 95
gration of skilled workers. An important element
in this is the Skilled Immigration Act for qualified
professionals, which has been in force since 1 March
2020. The Act makes it easier for skilled workers from
countries outside the EU to access the German labour
market. Previously, this was only possible for work-
ers with academic qualifications. Since 2020 this ac-
cess has also been open to workers who have gained
a vocational qualification abroad. Given the unique
features and high standards of Germany’s dual vo-
cational training system, the Federal Government
is using the Skilled Immigration Act to improve op-
portunities for workers to come to Germany to gain
qualifications. It is now possible for people who want
to undertake training or an apprenticeship to get a
residence permit. 
Education and research
T H R I V I N G R E S E A R C H LO C AT I O N
Germany’s education and university system enjoys an outstanding repu­
tation on the international stage. German research breaks new ground
and Germany’s vocational training system serves as a model for many
other countries. A summary.

AMBITIOUS CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH

Germany is a nation of innovation. Along with Germany’s higher educa-
tion institutions, the four major non-university research institutes form
the backbone of Germany’s research system.

DY N A M I C H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N S E C TO R
Germany’s higher education institutions are the heart of the higher edu-
cation system. Their varied range of courses and research, international
orientation and outstanding teaching sets them apart.

M A K I N G A DI F F E R E N C E T H R O U G H S C I E N C E D I P LO M AC Y
For German foreign policy, protecting and promoting academic freedom
is an essential responsibility. Germany is therefore focusing on exchange
and networking.

D UA L VO C AT I O N A L T R A I N I N G S Y S T E M
Germany’s two-track vocational training system combines theory and
practice. It is a central pillar of the education system in Germany.

AT T R AC T I V E S C H O O L S Y S T E M
Germany’s excellent school system opens up equal opportunities for
everyone. Primary responsibility for schools lies with the federal states.
 Germany is in the top

10
In 2020, Germany spent

241 billion
euros on education,
countries in the world
research and academia.
for innovation.

Around
E D U C AT I O N A N D R E S E A R C H
10,800,000
7 Facts pupils attend schools
in Germany.

The vaccine developed jointly by Biontech

from Germany and Pfizer from the US was the

1st COVID-19 VACCINE

to be approved in the US and the European Union.
Germany spends
an average of

14,200
US DOLLARS

420
per pupil, above the
OECD average of Germany’s oldest
11,800 dollars. university is the
University of Heidelberg.
HIGHER EDUCATION –
INSTITUTIONS It was founded in
provide opportunities for
students in Germany to
pursue their studies.
1386.
 EDU CATION A ND RE S EA RCH
Thriving
higher education
location
Germany stands out for the breadth of its
vocational and higher education system and the
world-leading research carried out here.
Germany enjoys a reputation around the world for its
strength in innovation and wide-ranging academic
and research system. The country’s 420 higher edu-
cation institutions are the foundation of this success.
Industrial research forms another key element in Ger-
many’s status as a higher education location. One sign
of this strength is that Germany is among the world’s
leading nations in terms of numbers of patent appli-
cations. Germany’s four major non-university research
institutes are the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the Helm-
holtz Association, the Leibniz Association and the Max
Planck Society. They enjoy an excellent international
reputation and play a key role in Germany's scientific
and academic success.
The dual vocational training system combines theory
and practice.
98 | 99
Germany is investing heavily in
research and science so as to en-
sure this innovative energy con-
tinues and flourishes. This puts the
Fed­ eral Republic among a lead-
ing group of nations that invest
around 3% of GDP annually in re-
search and development. The aim
is for this to rise to at least 3.5% of
all state expenditure by 2025.
FROM VOCATIONAL TRAINING
TO WORLD LEADING RESEARCH
Compared to its international
competitors, Germany’s education
system is very well adapted to the
needs of the labour market, not
just in the context of cutting-edge
research. Over 80% of adults hold
an “Abitur” (the general higher
edu­cation entrance diploma) or a
vocational qualification, putting
Germany above the average for
OECD countries. Germany’s dual
system of vocational education
and training has long been a key
element of this and enjoys an ex-
cellent reputation internationally.
The number of university students
has risen sharply in recent years.
In response, the Federal and state
governments adopted the Higher
Education Pact 2020 which pro-
vides funding for more places on
university courses. Building on
this, Federal and state govern-
ments have implemented a “future
agreement” to improve conditions
 for students and teaching quality
in the long-term.

The Federal Government’s Excel-

lence Strategy supports pioneering
research at universities. The Strat­
egy funds Clusters of Excellence
for targeted areas of research and
Universities of Excellence, which
are acknowledged internationally
as beacons of outstanding higher
education. Over 500 million euros
are available for the entire pro-
gramme each year.

The Federal Government aims to

use its Future Strategy Research as
an effective way of consolidating re-
sources. As part of this, the govern-
ment has defined key “future fields”.
These include developing modern
technologies for competitive and
climate-neutral industry, creating
a sustainable agricultural and food
production system, strengthen-
Researchers in Germany work with international networks.
ing technological sovereignty, and
developing a resilient healthcare
system that makes use of the op-
portunities from biotech and med-
ical processes. The development of
Students from abroad the first mRNA Covid-19 vaccine is
account for 11% of all stu- considered a paradigm of success-
dents in Germany. Most of ful state funding. The vaccine was
them come from the Asia developed by the Mainz-based firm
and Pacific region, followed Biontech, whose founders, Özlem
by North Africa, the Middle Türeci and Uğur Şahin, also teach
East and Western Europe. at the University of Mainz. The state
provided substantial support for
vaccine development at Biontech
and other centres.
 EDU CATION A ND RE S EA RCH 100 | 101

INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK expanding their partnerships around the world. Ger-

German higher education and
research institutions place great
importance on maintaining an
international outlook. Following
the “Bologna process” of Europe-
an higher education reform, the
majority of university courses in
Germany have been restructured
as bachelor's and master’s degrees,
which have become the inter­
national standard. Many courses,
particularly at master’s level, are
offered in a foreign language, pri-
marily in English.
many’s support for its higher education institutions
includes the German Academic Exchange Service
(DAAD), and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation,
which are funded by the Federal Foreign Office. Schol-
arship programmes are an essential element of Ger-
many's foreign academic and higher education policy.
These provide assistance to foreign students, academ-
ics and researchers for stays in Germany. Germany
also funds higher education partnerships around the
world. Over 37,000 agreements exist between higher
education institutions in Germany and partners in
over 150 countries.

For many years Germany has

been considered the most popular
country outside English-speaking
countries for international stu-
dents. Around 1 in 10 of Germany’s The University of Leipzig stands for tradition and innovation.

approximately 3 million students

come from abroad. Unlike many
other countries, students pay no
or only very limited fees to study
at public higher education insti-
tutions in Germany (with the ex-
ception of certain states such as
Baden-Wurttemberg). Germany’s
higher education and research in-
stitutions are also very attractive
for international staff. For ex­ample.
At the four major non-universi-
ty research institutes, over 25% of
staff come from abroad.

Networking with international

partners is also very important
to German higher education in-
stitutions, which are continually

Ambitious
cutting-edge
research
Science and research enjoy a high profile in Germany.
Businesses and politicians have continually increased
budgets for scientific activities in recent years.
In 2020, spending on research accounted for 3.13% of
Germany’s GPD. The intention is for this to rise to 3.5%
by 2025. This puts Germany among a leading group of
nations that spend more than 3% of GDP on research
and development (R&D). Germany also ranks fourth
internationally among the world’s most research-in-
tensive economies. In 2020, spending on R&D in Ger-
many amounted to just under 107 billion euros. The
business sector spent 71 billion euros, with higher
education institutions and non-university research
institutes accounting for 19.3 and 15.6 billion euros
respectively.
The strength of cutting-edge research in Germany is
reflected in the number of publications produced by
researchers. In the 2022 “Nature Index”, which evalu­
ates the publication performance of research and
higher education institutions, Germany was ranked
highest in Europe. Against its international competi-
tors, Germany is ranked third, behind the front run-
ners US and China.
HIGH-TECH STRATEGY PROMOTES INNOVATION
In 2006 Germany developed a unique tool in the form
of its High-Tech Strategy. Since then, High-Tech Strat-
egy research projects have prompted a raft of innov­
ations – from energy-saving LED
bulbs to a tissue-engineered heart
valve. The High-Tech Strategy 2025
was adopted in 2018 and focuses
on seven priority areas: health and
care, sustainability, climate pro-
tection and energy, mobility, town
and country, security, and business
and work 4.0. The specific goals of
the High-Tech Strategy 2025 in-
clude the fight against cancer, re-
ducing plastic in the environment,
and advancing greenhouse gas
neutrality in the industrial sector.
NON-UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
INSTITUTES
There are around 1,000 publicly
funded research institutes in Ger-
many. Along with Germany’s
higher education institutions, the
four major non-university re-
search institutes form the back-
bone of Germany’s research sys-
tem. The Max Planck Society
(MPG), founded in 1948, is the lead-
ing non-university centre for fun-
damental research into the natural,
biological and social sciences and
humanities. Around 7,000 scien-
tists and researchers, 3,400 PhD
students and 2,200 visiting re-
searchers work at the Max Planck
Society’s 86 institutes and research
institutes, some of which are locat-
ed outside Germany. Over half
(54.6%) of the academics and re-
searchers are foreign citizens. Over
20 Nobel Prizes have been awarded
to researchers from the Max Planck
Society since its foundation.
 EDU CATION A ND RE S EA RCH 102 | 103

The Helmholtz Association con-
ducts pioneering research in six
main fields: energy, earth and
envir­onment, health, information,
materials, and aeronautics, space
and transport. The Helmholtz So-
ciety is Germany’s largest research
organisation, with over 43,000 peo-
ple working at its 19 centres, in-
cluding the German Aerospace
Centre (DLR). The Society plans to
set up a new centre for gerontology
research.
transfer towards policymakers, businesses and the
general public.
As Europe’s largest research funding association, the
German Research Foundation (DFG) is responsible for
funding science, academia and research. The DFG’s
headquarters are in Bonn, and it also maintains offices
in India, Japan, Latin America and North America, as
well as running the Sino-German Center for Research
Promotion in Beijing (CDZ). The DFG promotes co-
operation between researchers in Germany and their
colleagues abroad, particularly (but by no means exclu-
sively) within the European Research Area.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has

76 institutes and research institu-
tions across the whole country, and
is considered the largest institution
for application-oriented develop-
ment in Europe. Its key research
areas include health and the envir­
onment, mobility and transport, Many pioneering innovations have been developed in Germany.

and energy and fuels. With eight

Fraunhofer affiliates in Europe,
North America, South America and
Asia, numerous Representative Of-
fices and Senior Advisors, the
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has a
presence in many countries around
the world.

The Leibniz Association brings to-

gether 96 independent research
institutes, with research interests
ranging from the natural sciences,
engineering and environmental
sciences to aerospace engineering,
economics, the social sciences, and
the humanities. One overarching
priority for the Association’s 11,700
or so researchers is knowledge
 CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH

148 million
euros in funding is awarded to ten Uni­
versities of Excellence and the Berlin Uni-
versity Alliance each year. These institutions
were selected to receive seven years of fund-
ing through the Excellence Strategy, through
which federal and state governments support
cutting-edge research at universities.
 EDU CATION A ND RE S EA RCH 104 | 105

While traditional universities offer

a broad range of subjects, technical
Dynamic higher universities (TU), focus on funda-
mental research in engineering
education sector and the natural sciences. In 2006
the nine leading technical univer-
sities formed the TU9 Initiative.
Germany has a remarkably diverse higher education
sector. It includes famous universities in major cities The universities regard them-
like Berlin and Munich, yet outstanding higher educa- selves not only as teaching insti-
tion institutions can also be found in Aachen, Heidel- tutes but as research centres too,
berg and Karlsruhe. Medium-sized universities with a and as such still embody Wilhelm
strong focus on research and smaller institution with von Humboldt’s educational
an outstanding reputation form the nucleus of the ideal of the unity of research and
academic world. Many German universities feature teaching. The universities’ prima-
in international rankings, with 9 German universities ry objective is to nurture the next
in the top 200 in the Shanghai Rankings, 11 in the QS generation of academics and re-
World University Rankings and 22 in the Times Higher searchers, to teach academically
Education World University Rankings. The universities robust specialist knowledge, and
of Munich and Heidelberg perform particularly well. to train academics to work and re-
search independently.
According to data from the German Rectors’ Confer-
ence (HRK) in 2021 students in Germany could choose The 243 universities of applied
from 420 higher education institutions (120 uni­ science are a unique feature of
versities, 243 universities of applied sciences, and 57 the German higher education sys-
academies of music and art). These institutions offer a tem through their strong focus on
total of 20,593 degree courses. Funding for 272 higher practical applications. Some re-
education institutions is provided by the state, 38 by markable social and technological
the church and 110 are funded privately. innovations have been achieved
at universities of applied science
HIGH STANDARDS AND FOCUSED ON PRACTICE and at smaller and medium-sized
In Germany there are essentially three types of higher universities. In order to provide
education institution: universities, universities of ap- targeted support to help transfer
plied sciences, and academies of art, film and music. these innovations into business,
They differ in terms of their structure and purpose. the Federal Government set up the

German higher education institutions are known for their high

standards of teaching and the wide range of subjects they offer.
German Agency for Transfer and Innovation (DATI),
which was provided with initial funding of 15 million
euros for this purpose. The aim is to give an additional
boost to the startup culture at German higher educa-
tion institutions.
INCREASING NUMBERS OF STUDENTS
University education is on the rise in Germany. In 2005,
37% of young people enrolled on a university course,
but by 2021 that figure had risen to 52%. The Federal
Training Assistance Act (BAföG) enables young people
to complete a degree course independently of their fam­
ily’s financial situation In the 2021/2022 winter semes-
ter there were around 2.9 million students enrolled at
higher education institutions. Federal and state govern-
ments are joining forces to respond to the increasing
numbers of students. In late 2014, as part of the Higher
Education Pact 2020, they approved funding for up to
760,000 additional university places in the subsequent
years. For the entire duration of the Higher Education
Pact from 2007 to 2023, the Federal Government is pro-
viding 20.2 billion euros, and the states 18.3 billion euros.
EXCELLENCE AND
INTERNATIONALISATION
With the Excellence Initiative, the
Federal Government and the indi-
vidual Bundesländer are giving a
boost to cutting-edge research at
universities. The Initiative funds
Clusters of Excellence in specific
fields of research as well as so-
called Universities of Excellence. It
follows on from the previous Ex-
cellence Initiative of 2005 to 2017,
when the Federal Government and
the states provided particularly
outstanding research projects and
facilities with funding worth a to-
tal of 4.6 billion euros. The Excel-
lence Initiative consists of two
parts. Through the Clusters of Ex-
cellence, internationally competi-
tive fields of research at uni­versities
are funded on a project-by-project

M I L E S TO N E S

1995 2005 2008

Under the leadership of
Karlheinz Brandenburg, a
mathematician and elec-
trical engineer, a team at
the Fraunhofer Institute
in Erlangen invents the
MP3 audio compression
process, which is a global
standard today.
Universities are invited to
apply for the Excellence
Initiative. The Research
and Innovation Pact
funds the non-university
research institutes. The
federal and state gov-
ernments agree the first
Higher Education Pact
in 2007.
Nine years after the discov-
ery of the giant magnet­
oresistance effect, which
paves the way for gigabyte
hard discs the scientists
Peter Grünberg (Germany)
and Albert Fert (France) are
awarded the Nobel Prize for
Physics.
 EDU CATION A ND RE S EA RCH 106 | 107

basis. These clusters facilitate
interdisciplinary collaboration
among academics working on a
specific research objective. A total
of 57 Clusters of Excellence were
selected for the first round of fund-
ing, which lasts for seven years and
commenced in 2019. Total funding
for all Clusters of Excellence each
year is worth 385 million euros.
Universities involved in at least
two Clusters of Excellence can use
the title “University of Excellence”.
For a period of seven years from
the end of 2019, ten Universities of
Excellence throughout Germany
and the Berlin University Alliance,
which comprises the Freie Univer-
sität, the Humboldt-Universität,
the Technische Universität and the
Charité University Hospital, are re-
ceiving total funding of around 148 million euros each
year.
GLOBAL NETWORKS AND EXPERIENCE ABROAD
German higher education institutions have a strong
international focus. The German Rectors’ Confer-
ence has identified more than 37,000 international
co­operation agreements with partner institutions in
more than 150 countries. Many of these partnerships
include programmes where students can achieve dou-
ble degrees. Many higher education institutions are
involved in the development of German study cours-
es and the setting up of higher education institutions
based on the German model, such as those in China,
Egypt, Hungary, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Oman,
Singapore, Vietnam and Turkey.
Funding is also being provided to promote inter­
national mobility for German students, with around
134,000 completing a stay abroad in 2021. Scholarships
such as the Erasmus+ programme support these valu­
able study visits. 

2014 2015 2020

Stefan Hell, director of
the Max Planck Institute
for Biophysical Chemistry,
is jointly awarded the
Nobel Prize for Chemistry
along with two US scien-
tists for their work on
super-resolved fluores-
cence microscopy.
The conversion of German
degree courses to bach­
elor's and master's degree
programmes is largely
complete: 90% of courses
have been transferred.
Courses in medicine and
law, which are subject to
special regulations, remain
an exception.
Less than a year after the
outbreak of the Covid-19
pandemic, the USA and the
EU issue initial approvals for
a vaccine against the virus.
The vaccine was developed
by the German Biontech firm,
working in collaboration
with Pfizer. The vaccine saves
millions of human lives.
Making a difference
through science diplomacy
Academic mobility and academic partnerships are
becoming ever more important, including as part of
a sustainable German foreign policy. German science
diplomacy is an active force in shaping these networks
and campaigns for the freedom of academia and re-
search around the world. Ultimately, the only way to
overcome global challenges such as peace, climate
change and pandemics is by working together with
international partners.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES AND
ACAD EMIC COOPERATION
Scholarship programmes form a key plank of German
science and higher education policy. Such scholar-
ships provide funding for foreign students and re-
searchers to visit Germany. As part of this, the German
Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Alexander
von Humboldt Foundation award scholarships and
fund academic programmes. They work closely with
Germany’s diplomatic missions abroad and develop
funding projects such as the “Leadership for Africa”
S C I E N C E O P E N TO T H E W O R L D
55,176
international researchers and academics
were working at German higher education
institutions in 2020. Most of these (34.5 %)
came from Western Europe, while 20 % came
from the Asia and Pacific region. The Federal
Government provides a range of programmes
to support the mobility of German and inter-
national academics.
scholarship programme. This pro-
gramme makes it possible for tal-
ented young people from countries
that take in large numbers of refu­
gees to study for master's degrees
in Germany.
Germany also funds higher edu-
cation partnerships around the
world through the scholarship
programme. According to the
Higher Education Compass, in
2021 there were around 37,000
partnership agreements with
5,400 partner institutions in over
150 countries. These cooperation
agreements have been the gen­esis
for double degree programmes
and binational higher education
institutions abroad, such as DKU
Deutsch-Kasachische Universität
in Almaty, the German University
in Cairo and the Turkish-German
University in Istanbul.
Beacons of German academic
cooperation with partner coun-
tries include the DAAD’s Global
Centres for Climate and Environ-
ment and Centres of Excellence,
and the Humboldt Research
Hubs in Africa. These cen-
tres serve as platforms for ac-
ademics from Germany and
other countries to share ideas and
collaborate on global challenges,
with a particular focus on working

with academics from the Global
South.
STRENGTHENING ACADEMIC
FREEDOM
Academic protection programmes
are a major priority for German
science diplomacy. One example
is the Philipp Schwartz Initiative,
which has been administered by
the Humboldt Foundation since
2015. It is a special programme
to help at-risk academics and re-
searchers to assimilate and inte-
grate in Germany.
The Federal Government also ac-
knowledges its key responsibility to
give young people living through
crises and in conflict zones the
Learning from one other, working together: Germany is committed to international and interdisciplinary
cooperation across all academic disciplines.
EDU CATION A ND RE S EA RCH 108 | 109
prospect of gaining academic and scientific training.
Germany provides support and services to refugees
around the world. This eases the burden on those coun-
tries that are the first port of call for refugees, while also
giving refugees the prospect of finding employment
and reducing secondary migration. For 30 years the
Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative
(DAFI), which is funded by the Federal Foreign Office,
has worked with the UNHCR to help refugees access
higher education in their countries of first arrival.
GERMANY – RESEARCH AND INNOVATION HUB
Germany is a high-tech nation, so promoting inter­
national partnerships is an essential element of all
strategic future planning. As a “shop window” and
long-term presence for German academic and scien-
tific organisations, the German Centres for Research
and Innovation work in cities such as New York, Tokyo,
Sao Paolo and New Delhi to promote and network on
behalf of Germany as a nation of innovation.
 Education and research –
facts and figures

750
MILLION EUROS
were allocated by the Federal Ministry
of Education and Research for a
Investment in research and
special programme to develop and
development will rise to
produce vaccines in Germany follow-
ing the Covid-19 pandemic. A further
350 million euros were provided to the 3.5%
international vaccine initiative CEPI. of GDP by 2025.

PATENTS FOR GLOBAL MARKETS:

GERMANY, EUROPEAN UNION, JAPAN AND THE US

Global market patents1

per million inhabitants

450
Germany

400
European Union

350
Japan

300
United States

250

200

150

1) Inventions registered with the

100 European Patent Office or with
the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO).
50
Source: Fraunhofer Institute for
0 Systems and Innovation Research
1995 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
 EDU CATION A ND RE S EA RCH 110 | 111

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS IN GERMANY

Law, economics and Mathematics and

social sciences natural sciences
38.7% 10.7%

Medicine and health sciences

SUBJECT GROUPS
6.7%
Agricultural, forestry,
and food sciences,
veterinary medicine Sport
2.2% 1.1  %

Engineering

Humanities
26.4%
10.8%
Art and art history
3.4%

2021/2022 winter semester, source: Federal Statistical Office

“As a country we may EXASCALE SUPERCOMPUTING

be poor in natural
resource but we are rich
in ideas – our future is
in the sciences, from
climate change to
Europe’s first exascale supercomputer will
digitalisation and even have computing power equivalent to over
social and philosoph­
ical questions.” 5 million
modern laptops. Forschungszentrum Jülich
F R A N K-WA LT E R S T E I N M E I E R , will be home to the new supercomputer.
FEDERAL PRESIDENT
An example to the world: the German dual model of vocational training is in demand in many countries and enjoys
widespread popularity.

Students spend three to four days

Dual vocational a week learning the practical elem­
ents of a profession in the work-
training place, with specialist theoretical
teaching at vocational college on
the other day(s). It generally takes
What makes Germany’s dual system of education and between two and three-and-a-half
training different is the way it combines theory and years to complete dual vocational
practice. Germany’s low rate of youth unemployment training, and trainees are paid dur-
compared to its European peers is thanks in part to this ing this time.
system.
Around a million young people in
The dual system of education and training differs Germany are training on officially
from purely classroom-based learning that represents recognised training programmes.
the entry point into working life in many countries. In 2022, they were able to choose
 EDU CATION A ND RE S EA RCH 112 | 113

from 324 different careers. In 2021, some 467,000

people signed new dual vocational training contracts.

Vocational education in Germany is supported by

many stakeholders who also ensure training is high
quality. For example, chambers of commerce offer
advice to firms providing on-the-job training and as-
sess their facilities, while also organising assessments
and examinations. Trade unions and employers’ asso-
ciations negotiate the remuneration for trainees and
help define standards for professional training. The
state funds and oversees the public vocational college
system. It also helps unemployed and disadvantaged
young people to get into training.

THE GERMAN MODEL – ATTRACTING

INTEREST AROUND THE WORLD
The integration of theoretical knowledge and prac­tical
professional experience is in great demand among
many companies. There is also great international in-
terest in the system, and many countries are currently
adapting the German dual vocational training system.
In response to high levels of demand, the Federal Gov-
ernment has set up the German Office for Internation-
al Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training
(GOVET) as a central point of contact.
There are no formal
requirements to start
GOVET handles all inquiries about the German vo-
dual vocational training.
cational training system, many of which come from
Firms determine for
abroad. As part of its work with partners around the
themselves what prior
world, the Federal Government supports partner
educational attain-
countries with developing their own vocational train-
ments their applicants
ing systems, thereby improving opportunities for
should possess.
young people to become qualified in a profession. The
framework for this is the Federal Government’s strat-
egy for international cooperation on vocational edu-
cation and training, which was adopted in 2013 and
updated in 2019.
 Education for all children:
attending a state school in
Germany is free.
Attractive school
system
The 16 federal states are primarily responsible for the
school system. This is why there are different school
systems, curricula and types of schools across Ger­
many. The Standing Conference of the Ministers of
Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the
Federal Republic of Germany (KMK) guarantees the
conformity or comparability of the education pro-
grammes and the qualifications awarded.
In the 2021-2022 academic year 11 million pupils at-
tended the 40,000 general education and vocation-
al schools, with 798,000 teachers. Furthermore, just
under a million pupils attend the
roughly 5,800 general and voca-
tional private schools.
In general, school attendance is
compulsory for all children from
the age of six for a nine-year
period. At the same time ear-
ly-years education and how it con-
nects with primary schooling is a
high-priority issue in education
policy. Around 20,000 whole-day

schools now have a firm place in
the education system. It is expected
that studying at these schools will
improve equality of opportunity,
particularly for children from edu­
cationally deprived backgrounds.
FREE SCHOOLING
It costs nothing to attend a state
school in Germany. The school
system is divided into three levels:
primary education and secondary
education levels I and II. As a rule,
EDU CATION A ND RE S EA RCH 114 | 115
all children attend a primary school, which lasts from
Year 1 to 4 (Years 1 to 6 in Berlin and Brandenburg).
After primary school, students pursue one of three
standard forms of secondary education: a non-selective
“Hauptschule”, which teaches up to level 2 qualifications
(Years 5 to 9 or 10); a “Realschule” (Years 5 to 10) where
students attain the “Mittlere Reife” (a level 2 qualifica-
tion); or a selective grammar school (Years 5 to 12 or 13)
to attain a general higher education entrance diploma
or Abitur. Some schools provide a single form of second-
ary education, while others combine two or three (as in
the case of comprehensive “Gesamtschulen”), making it
easier to switch between different forms.
The names of these types of school vary depending on
the state; only grammar schools (“Gymnasium”) are
known as such in all states. In 2021 around 395,000
school students achieved higher education entrance
diplomas. Children with special educational needs can
attend separate schools that are able to cater for their
specific needs. Nevertheless, the aim is for it to become
standard for children with and without disabilities to
learn together, in line with the UN Convention on the
Rights of People with Disabilities. The Federal Govern-
ment is paying particular attention to providing bet-
ter educational opportunities to children and young
people, regardless of their parents’ social situation.
GERMAN SCHOOLS ABROAD
The 137 German schools abroad provide an excellent
education in 70 countries. Around 84,000 students
learn together at these schools, around 23,000 of which
speak German as their first language. Most of the
schools are privately funded, but they receive finan-
cial and staffing support from the Central Agency for
German Schools Abroad (ZfA). Since 2008, the PASCH
initiative (“Schools: Partners for the Future”), which
is coordinated by the Federal Foreign Office, has been
working with the ZfA and the Goethe-Institut to create
an even larger network of German students. It con-
nects almost 2,000 schools around the world, with over
600,000 students learning German.
Diverse society
E N R I C H E D BY DI V E R S I T Y
People in Germany are free to live their own lives, no matter where they
come from or what they want to achieve. A summary.

AC T I V E C I V I L S O C I E T Y
Millions of Germans support voluntary causes and organisations in their
free time. Charities are becoming an increasingly important part of civil
society.

D I V E R S E WAY S O F L I F E
Many different forms of relationship and family units shape German soci-
ety. The Federal Government is providing targeted support to help people
balance their careers and family life, as well as supporting the rights of
queer persons.

FREEDOM OF RELIGION
Freedom of religion is enshrined in Germany's Basic Law. Germany's re-
ligious landscape is diverse, but society is becoming increasingly secular.

S T R O N G W E L FA R E S TAT E
Germany protects its citizens against threats to critical aspects of their
lives. A key element of this is the tightly-woven social network of insur-
ance provided by the state.

FA M I L I E S A N D E Q UA L I T Y
The Federal Government is strengthening the role played by women in all
areas of public and private life, and is standing up for families.
 Public expenditure
Around on social security

5.3 to 5.6 million

is worth
OVER
Muslims live
in Germany. 1 TRILLION
EUROS.

DIVERSE SOCIETY

7 Facts
52%
of first-year
students are women.

100
There are roughly

JEWISH COMMUNITIES

51%
in Germany, which have been represented by
the Central Council of Jews in Germany since 1950.

of the German
population is a member
of one of the
two main Christian
denominations.
22.3 There
were around
million 65,000
PEOPLE same-sex
from migrant married couples
backgrounds live in in Germany
Germany. at the end of 2021.

Enriched by
diversity
People from all around the world live to-
gether in Germany, bringing together highly diverse
beliefs, ideals and aspirations. Promoting equality
for all citizens is a matter of prime importance to the
Federal Government.
The 83 million people who live in Germany have wide-
ly differing attitudes and approaches to how they live
their lives. Some live as part of a family, in a long-term
relationship or with flatmates. They practise different
religions, hold different political views and have dif-
ferent social expectations. Many come from migrant
backgrounds. Each year, hundreds of thousands of
people come to Germany to work or study, and refu-
gees find a new home here. What they all have in com-
mon is that they live in freedom and can fulfil their
hopes and dreams as they wish. The Federal Govern-
ment works on a range of levels to ensure everyone
living in Germany can live in freedom and according
to their own choices and values.
Germany is committed to diversity and acceptance.
DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 118 | 119
MODERN
NATION OF IMMIGRATION
Germany is a modern country with
an active and orderly government,
which is a popular destination
for immigrants. The government
wants to keep migration to realis-
tic levels and ensure it meets Ger-
many’s future needs. It plans to
reduce irregular migration and fa-
cilitate migration through regular
channels. Germany takes humani­
tarian responsibility for refugees
and asylum seekers, such as people
fleeing regions affected by crises
and conflicts. Just under 200,000
asylum applications were submit-
ted to the Federal Office for Migra-
tion and Refugees (BAMF) in 2021.
One of the Federal Government’s
 key priorities is to improve living
conditions for people so they do
not have to leave their home coun-
tries. Germany has set in motion
numerous initiatives to promote
political, economic and social sta-
bility in these countries and to cre-
ate security.

All immigrants and their relatives

who are living permanently and
legally in Germany are actively in-
cluded in German society and have
a right to integration services pro-
vided by the Federal Government.
These include language and inte-
gration courses which are aimed at
making it easier to settle into Ger-
man society. Migrants who plan
to stay in Germany for the longer
term will be able to access the la-
bour market quickly. In addition
to this, promoting future-orient-
ed and needs-based migration of
skilled workers from around the
Many programmes are improving the conditions faced by families.
world is a priority for the Federal
Government.

There are over 22 million people

who come from migrant back-
“One of our most
grounds. They make a vital contri-
pressing tasks as
bution to the development of Ger-
a government is
many’s society and economy, as
to take decisive
well as making Germany a diverse
action to improve
nation.
social justice.”
Federal Family Minister
Lisa Paus “MULTI-COLOURED GERMANY”
Promoting equality for all citizens
across many levels of society is a

major issue in Germany. Germany
is fully committed to the accept-
ance of diversity. For this reason,
the Federal Government supports
LGBTIQ rights (lesbian, gay, bi-,
trans, intersex, queer) and is fight-
ing to end discrimination. The gov-
ernment has therefore established
the office of a Commissioner for
the Acceptance of Sexual and Gen-
der Diversity.
TARGETED SUPPORT
FOR FAMLIES
Many people live in family units
in Germany, and there were a to-
tal of around 11.6 million families
in 2021. Supporting and assisting
families is a key objective of Ger-
man family policy. The Federal
Government is committed to pro-
viding targeted support to help
people balance their careers and
family lives, as well as financial se-
curity and high-quality childcare.
This means all parents can claim
up to three years’ maternity or pa-
ternity leave to care for and bring
up their offspring.
The state also pays a parental al-
lowance which compensates for
lost earnings when parents are
looking after their child after the
birth. Families can access addition-
al financial support such as child
benefits, supplementary child sup-
port for disadvantaged parents,
and maternity benefits.
DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 120 | 121
It is increasingly the case that starting a family means
mothers must interrupt their careers. Overall, women
are more likely than men to suffer discrimination in
the labour market. A range of employment laws have
been passed to improve transparency around pay and
to increase the number of women in senior positions,
including through the use of quotas. Single and sep-
arated parents achieve additional targeted support
such as tax credits or advance child support payments
where necessary.
WELFARE STATE FOR EVERYONE
Germany is a welfare state. It is committed to econom-
ic security and social justice for all its citizens. In 2021
Germany spent 1.16 trillion euros, the equivalent of
32.5% of GDP, on health, welfare, unemployment and
related spending.
The combination of several different forms of insur-
ance is a key element of the welfare state. State-pro-
vided insurance for health, pensions, accidents, nurs-
ing care and unemployment protects members of the
public against threats to critical aspects of their lives.
Moreover, a basic income and tax credits help pension-
ers, mothers, families and those permanently unable to
work. The Federal Government is enhancing the basic
income system through the introduction of the Citi-
zens’ Basic Income scheme.
ACTIVE AND COMMITTED CITIZENS
Germany’s thriving civil society is an important pillar
of social coexistence and cohesion. German citizens
are certainly committed and active. Around 29 million
people (around 40% of the population) volunteer in
their free time to support areas such as sport, culture,
music, environmentalism and conservation, social is-
sues and education. By volunteering they make a ma-
jor contribution to promoting diversity, justice and
freedom in Germany.
German society is open and colourful. Around 22.3 million people come from migrant backgrounds.

Cooperation and Development

Migration (OECD). The Federal Government
is increasing rates of immigra-
and integration tion for skilled professionals from
around the world. At the same
time, Germany is facing up to its
Germany has become a popular destination for mi- humanitarian responsibility for
grants. There are 22.3 million people from migrant refugees and asylum seekers who
backgrounds now living here. Germany is not only may be fleeing crises or conflict
the most popular destination for migrants with- regions.
in the EU but has also moved to the top of the in-
ternational rankings. In recent years, immigration MANY PEOPLE FROM MIGRANT
to Germany has risen faster than for any other of BACKGROUNDS
the 38 members of the Organisation for Economic In 2021 there were 10.9 million

holders of foreign passports living
in Germany. Around 22.3 million
persons are from migrant back-
grounds. This group includes mi-
grants, foreign citizens born in
Germany, and people with one or
more parents who came to Ger­
many as migrants. This group
makes up roughly a quarter of the
total population. Around 11.8 mil-
lion people from migrant back-
grounds hold German passports.
Over half of them have been Ger-
man citizens from birth. Ethnic
DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 122 | 123
Germans who were repatriated to Germany constitute
another significant group. The other people from mi-
grant backgrounds are naturalised. In 2021 alone, some
131,600 foreign citizens were naturalised.
PROTECTING REFU GEES, PREVENTING PEOPLE
FROM BECOMING REFUGEES
Germany stands by its international commitments
to protect refugees. Around the world it is working
to combat the factors that cause people to become
refugees. In 2015 the number of foreign migrants to
Germany was higher than ever, at 2 million people.
Many of these came to seek asylum, fleeing wars and
conflicts such as those in Syria and Iraq. In 2021, there
were 190,800 asylum applications.
The Federal Government is committed to address-
ing the factors that cause people to become refugees
and to reducing irregular migration. It is also driving
forward the development and management of migra-
tion processes. This work includes repatriating those
people who have no prospects of staying in Germany,
promoting reintegration into countries of origin, and
supporting transit countries and host countries. As
part of increased efforts to shape the future of migra-
tion, Germany is also seeking partnership agreements
with countries of origin. In addition the Federal Gov-
ernment is campaigning for fundamental reform of
the EU asylum system with the aim of achieving fair
distribution and even-handed standards in asylum
processes.
At the same time, Germany intends to open up new
opportunities, whereby well integrated young people
will have the opportunity to gain permanent residence
after three years. People who have lived in Germany
for five years and satisfy certain requirements receive
a conditional one-year residence permit during which
time they can meet the additional requirements for
permanent residence.
SKILLED WORKER MIGRATION
FROM THIRD COUNTRIES
Migrants make a significant contribution to Germa-
ny’s social and economic development. The growing
need for skilled workers is attracting well qualified
people from abroad. The Federal Government wants to
facili­tate increased migration, not least to counteract
the shortage of skilled workers which is due to demo-
graphic change.
In addition to boosting the activation of Germany's
own pool of potential skilled workers and encour-
aging greater immigration from EU member states,
the Federal Government sees the migration of skilled
workers from third countries as a means of counter-
acting demographic change and helping ensure there
are enough skilled workers. Germany also intends to
speed up visa approvals and conduct more of the pro-
cess digitally.
S UCCESSFUL INTEGRATION
Integration is a priority area for
German policymakers and is con-
sidered a responsibility for the
whole of society. Integration is not
just something that society offers:
it also requires that migrants com-
mit to making an effort themselves.
Integration can only succeed if it is
a mutual process. According to the
Residence Act, those foreigners
who legally live long-term on Ger-
man territory have a right to access
federal integration services. These
services include language lessons,
integration in training, work, and
education, as well as social integra-
tion. The goal is to enable these per-
sons to be part of and play a part in
society. The core element is an in-
tegration course consisting of lan-
guage lessons and an orientation
course. The Federal Government is
also planning to increase funding

M I L E S TO N E S

1955 1964 1990

Strong economic growth
leads to a shortage of
workers in Germany in the
mid-1950s. Recruitment
agreements with Italy,
Spain, Greece, Turkey,
Morocco, Portugal and
Yugoslavia are signed in
response.
The millionth “Gast­
arbeiter” is welcomed to
Germany. Recruitment
of these migrant workers
comes to an end with
the 1973 oil crisis. By this
point, around four million
foreign people live in
Germany.
The fall of the Iron Curtain
in 1990 and the conflicts
in the former Yugoslavia
prompt a sharp increase
in migration. A further
400,000 ethnic Germans
move to Germany from
central and eastern
Europe.
 DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 124 | 125

for business German courses. The term should be able to get a job or start vocational
Federal Government also aims to training quickly. To this end, the Federal Government
boost participation in education, introduced legislation in 2019 to promote education
particularly among young foreign and employment for foreigners. Anyone with good
citizens. Around a third of 20–34 prospects of remaining in the country can now start
year old foreign adults do not gain working more quickly. The law also improved the pro-
a vocational qualification. vision of language courses and other integration ser-
vices.
Reforms to citizenship laws in 2014
introduced dual citizenship. For In 2019 the Federal Government also changed the
people who were born to foreign rules governing benefits for asylum-seekers. The
parents after 1990 and who grew changes are aimed at preventing refugees from hav-
up in Germany, this removed the ing to drop out of training courses or university for
obligation to renounce either their financial reasons. The Federal Government is also re-
German or their parents’ national- moving bureaucratic obstacles preventing access to
ity. Previously, they had only been healthcare.
allowed to keep both nationalities
until they turned 23. Volunteering plays a major role in supporting integra-
tion, both through the work of many volunteers who
FINANCIAL SECURITY offer courses and everyday support to refugees and
FOR STUDENTS AND migrants, and also migrants who provide voluntary
TRAINEES services themselves. Volunteering is likewise encour-
Migrants who are expecting to re- aged within the framework of the amended Asylum
main in Germany for the longer Seekers’ Benefits Act.

1997 2014 2020

The number of asylum
seekers coming to Germany
has been growing since the
mid-1980s. The 1997 Dublin
Regulation creates rules
governing the responsibil-
ity for processing asylum
seekers by EU states.
Dual citizenship is
introduced. Under
certain conditions,
children born to foreign
parents who grew up
in Germany must no
longer renounce one of
their citizenships.
Legislation to promote
migration by skilled workers
comes into force. It aims to
increase the migration of
qualified foreign profession-
als to Germany. The Federal
Government is planning
further developments to
immigration laws.
Diverse ways of life
New forms of relationships and family units shape
German society. Yet in spite of the individualised and
highly mobile world of the 21st century, the family still
retains a key role. According to a study by Institut für
Demoskopie Allensbach conducted in 2019, more than
three quarters of the population (77%) said their family
was the most important thing in their life. At the same
time, ideas are changing about what a family typically
looks like.
M A R R I AG E F O R A L L
This was a milestone for equality: in June
2017 a law came into force in Germany that
allowed gay couples to marry. Previously,
same-sex couples had only been allowed to
register civil partnerships, which were similar
to marriages. “Marriage for all” opened up
marriage to gay couples in Germany, mark-
ing a major step forward in equality for gay
and lesbian people. Since the introduction
of “marriage for all”, as of the end of 2021,
65,600 same-sex couples have married in
Germany.
Less than half the people in Ger-
many live as part of a family unit.
Despite the decline of traditional
family structures, in 2021 mar-
ried couples with children under
18 constituted the most common
family form, making up around
70% of family units. There were
357,800 divorces in 2021. Just over
one in three marriages ends in di-
vorce. There were around 42,000
new marriages between German
and foreign citizens in 2021.
The number of children born to
cohabiting unmarried parents is
growing significantly. In 2019, fam-
ilies with unmarried parents ac-
counted for 10% of the 8.2 million
families with children under 18,
double the figure for 1999. There
are also 2.6 million single parents,
most of whom are women. Single
parents are particularly at risk of
experiencing poverty and around
38% receive state benefits.
MORE SAME-SEX
PARTNERSHIPS
In 2019, around 142,000 gay
couples were living together in
Germany, an increase of over 50%
compared to 10 years ago. Around

Freedom and equality: people in Germany can decide for themselves who they want to live with and what
kind of relationship they want.
34,000 live in registered partner-
ships. Registered partnerships
were introduced in 2001 and en-
sure legal recognition of same-sex
relationships. In 2017 the Bundes­
tag passed legislation to provide
“marriage for all”. Gay couples now
have the right to a full marriage
and hence also to adopt children,
for example. At the end of 2019
there were around 52,000 same-
sex married couples. Furthermore,
the Federal Government intends to
introduce the principles of “com-
DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 126 | 127
munities of responsibility”. This aims to make it easier
for two or more people to take responsibility for one
another.
While new forms of cohabitation and family life are
emerging, so is the number of single-person house-
holds, which now account for over 40% of all private
households. On the one hand this development is due
to demographic changes which have led to an increase
in the number of older people living alone, but on the
other hand more young people are also living on their
own. According to a forecast by the Federal Statistical
Office, one in four people in Germany will be living
alone in 2040. 
 Migration and integration –
facts and figures

IMMIGRATION TO GERMANY
Several hundred thousand people come to Germany each year.
The record for the highest number of immigrants was set in 2015.

2.1 million
2 MILLION

1.5 MILLION

1.2 million
1 MILLION 0.8 million 0.7 million 0.8 million

0
2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Source: Federal Statistical Office

PEOPLE FROM
MULTILINGUALISM MIGRANT BACKGROUNDS

53% 47%
German Foreign
citizenship citizenship

49%
Almost half of all In 2021 there were
people from migrant backgrounds
are bilingual or multilingual. 22.3 million people
At home they speak German and in Germany from
one or more other languages. migrant backgrounds.
Source: Federal Statistical Office
 DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 128 | 129

A S Y LU M

“Today, Germany
is a diverse and
strong country at the
centre of Europe. We
are grateful for the
contribution that
In 2021 around
many people have
made towards that,
including immigrants,
their children and
190,800
ASYLUM APPLICATIONS
grandchildren.”
were submitted. The three most common
R E E M ALABALI-R ADOVAN , countries of origin for asylum seekers
FE D E R AL CO M M ISS ION ER
FO R M IGR ATIO N, R EFUGEES were Syria, Iraq and Iran.
AND INTEGR ATION Source: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees

NATURALISATIONS PER YEAR

Each year over 100,000 people are naturalised as German citizens.

150,000
131,600
128,900

140,000

130,000
112,300
112,400
112,300

112,200
110,400

109,900
108,400

107,300

120,000

110,000

100,000
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Source: Federal Statistical Office


Freedom
of religion
Germany’s Basic Law guarantees freedom of religion.
Article 4 of the Constitution states that “freedom of
faith and of conscience and freedom to profess a re-
ligious or philosophical creed shall be inviolable.” This
includes the freedom to profess and practice a religion,
along with the freedom not to profess any religion.
Germany’s religious landscape is increasingly shaped
by diversity and secularisation. Around 51% of the Ger-
man population say they belong to one of the major
Christian denominations. The Roman Catholic church
in Germany is organised into the 27 Roman Cath­
olic dioceses under the German Bishops’ Conference,
while Protestant churches are organised into regional
churches under the umbrella organisation of the Prot-
estant Church in Germany (EKD).
With over 21 million members in
9,900 parishes, the Roman Catholic
church belongs to the worldwide
church with the Pope at its head.
The EKD is the association of the
20 independent regional Lutheran,
Reformed and United churches.
With around 20 million members,
it includes the majority of German
Protestant Christians. Around 41%
of the population does not belong
to any Christian denomination.
GROWING SIGNIFICANCE
OF ISLAM
Migration is making Islam an in-
creasingly significant part of re-
ligious life. While no definitive
survey has been carried out, the
number of Muslims in Germany
 DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 130 | 131

There are 5 million Muslims living in Germany.

bers of around 100 Jewish congregations across a broad

spectrum of religious traditions. They are represented
“Muslims in
by the Central Council of Jews in Germany, which was
Germany and
established in 1950.
their religion are
a natural part of
PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE STATE
our society.”
AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
Federal Minister of the
Interior Nancy Faeser Germany does not have an established church. Instead,
the state works with religious communities as part-
ners. The state contributes to funding kindergartens
and schools that are sponsored by religious communi-
ties. The churches levy a church tax which is collected
by the state to fund social, medical and other services.
Schools must provide religious education as part of
their standard curriculum, although restrictions to this
apply in Berlin and Bremen.
has been estimated to be between
5.3 and 5.6 million, with roots in The teaching of Islam as part of religious education is
50 different nations. Large Mus- being expanded. Additional teachers are being trained
lim communities have grown up to ensure that Muslim children and young people who
in many cities. The German Islam attend school in Germany can be offered religious
Conference (DIK) was established education. 
in 2006 and provides an official
framework for interaction be-
tween Muslims and the German
state. German universities also
offer training programmes for
imams, and the Federal Govern-
ment intends to expand these ser-
vices.

Jewish life in Germany, which

was almost entirely destroyed by
the Holocaust, is once again firm-
ly rooted in Germany. Around
225,000 Jews now live in Germany.
Approximately 92,000 are mem- Jewish life in Germany: the synagogue in Speyer

Thriving
welfare state
Germany’s welfare system is one of the most compre-
hensive in the world. As in other developed democra-
cies, spending on the welfare state represents the larg-
est individual item of public spending. Expenditure
on the welfare state amounted to around 1.19 trillion
euros in 2020, equivalent to 33.6% of GDP.
The tradition of the state welfare system goes back
to the age of industrialisation in Germany in the sec-
ond half of the 19th Century and is associated with
the then Reich Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. It was
W E L FA R E S TAT E I N T H E B A S I C L AW
Articles 20 and 28 of the Basic Law define
the German state as a democratic and social
federal constitutional democracy. Legislation
must therefore concern itself with social just­
ice and the social health, security and wellbe-
ing of German citizens. Major areas of focus
include employment law, tax law and the
welfare insurance system.
under his chancellorship that
mandatory health insurance was
first introduced in 1883. Over the
following years, legislation was ex-
panded that would form the basic
principles of the welfare state. The
Basic Law further enshrines the
principle of the welfare state for
the Federal Republic of Germany.
According to the Basic Law, polit-
ical leaders and society must con-
tinually negotiate and update the
form that the welfare state takes.
Demographic change is makes as-
similation necessary.
COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION
THANKS TO INSURANCE
Various forms of basic insurance
for health, pensions, accidents,
nursing care and unemployment
provide a tightly-woven network
protecting members of the public
against threats to critical aspects of
their lives. The network of welfare
support includes a basic income
for pensioners and those perma-
nently unable to work, along with
tax benefits such as the family al-
lowance. Families receive child
benefit payments each month. The
Federal Government’s coalition
agreement also includes a commit-
ment to enshrine children’s rights
in the Basic Law.
The pension package that entered
into force in 2014 especially im-
proves the situation of elderly
people. The reform saw the intro-

Thanks to targeted support, senior citizens in Germany are free to live life as they choose and participate in society.
duction, among other things, of
the full pension from 63 years of
age and the so-called “mother’s
pension”, which acknowledges
mothers’ work in raising children.
Women who brought up children
born before 1992 were not able
to access the childcare support
available to parents today, which
reduced their opportunities in the
world of work. The mother’s pen-
sion acknowledges the work they
did in bringing up children. Since
2014, around 9.5 million wom-
en (and a small number of men)
have had their pensions increased
DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 132 | 133
by over 300 euros a year. From 1 July 2014 onwards,
people covered by the pension insurance scheme who
have paid in for 45 years are able to retire at 63 without
deductions to their pension.
PROTECTING THE ELDERLY
A basic pension scheme was introduced in early 2021.
Anyone who has paid into the pension insurance
scheme for at least 33 years will receive a bonus. The
basic pension will benefit around 1.3 million people,
many of them women.
Health insurance cover is a legal requirement in Ger-
many. Medical care is provided through a wide range
of services including hospitals, medical practices and
rehabilitation clinics. 
 Reallocating roles:
more and more fathers in
Germany are taking
parental leave.
Families and equality
Thanks to parental leave, parental allowances and high
quality childcare services, Germany supports families
and helps parents to participate equally in working life.
Policy is also keeping pace with social changes. Over
the past decade, the proportion of mothers in employ-
ment rose by about 5%, reaching around 75% in 2020.
Over two-thirds of women with children who are in
employment work part-time.
Parental leave was introduced in 2007 and makes it
easier for people to balance the demands of starting
a family and developing their careers. The scheme al-
lows both partners to take a break from their careers
for up to three years. During this
period parents are also given spe-
cial protection against being made
redundant. The parental allowance
(“Elterngeld”) is designed to com-
pensate when parents lose income
because they are caring for chil-
dren. It is worth between 300 and
1,800 euros, depending on previous
income. This support is avail­able
for both parents for up to a total of
14 months. If both parents share in
caring for their children, each par-

ent can claim parental support for
between 2 and 12 months. More
and more fathers are taking up this
offer and setting their jobs to one
side for a few weeks or months.
GETTING BACK TO WORK EARLY
MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Nevertheless, it is still mainly
mothers who remain at home
for a relatively long period after
the birth of their children. The
Elterngeld Plus programme was
DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 134 | 135
introduced in 2015 to make it even more worthwhile
for parents to return to work early. The scheme gives
parents working part-time additional support for up
to 28 months.
Since 01 August 2013 children have had a legal right
to a nursery place upon reaching the age of one. Over
2.6 million children aged three or above attend a nurs-
ery or other form of childcare until they start school.
As of 01 March 2021, 34.4% of children in Germany un-
der 3 attend nursery or other childcare.
GENDER EQUALITY
Parental leave, financial support and easier access
to childcare have strengthened the basis for wom-
en’s equality, as required by the Basic Law. In some
areas, young women have already overtaken their male
counterparts in education. For example, women made
up 52% of first-year students in the 2021/2022 winter
semester. Nevertheless, there remains a gap between
the genders when it comes to earnings and career
paths. Even where women hold the same formal quali-
fications and attributes, they still earn an average of 6%
less than men. Women are still under-represented in
managerial roles.
The Federal Government is working actively to redress
these disparities. In addition to direct support through
programmes such as the parental allowance, legisla-
tion, such as regulations to promote transparency of
remuneration, aims to close the gap between men and
women. Quota requirements also ensure that women
hold more managerial positions. The Federal Govern-
ment is also working actively internationally to pro-
mote gender equality. 

Active civil society
Around 29 million people in Germany – just under
40% of the entire population – take social responsibil-
ity by volunteering in their free time. The figure has
grown appreciably over the past 20 years, from around
31% in 1999. According to the 5th German Volunteer
Survey, which was published in 2021, around 60% of
respondents commit up to 2 hours a week to volun-
teering, with 17% volunteering for 6 or more hours. A
key finding of the study was that volunteering takes
many forms and a wide range of groups benefit from
it. Most volunteers contribute to sport and exercise,
followed by culture and music, social projects and ser-
vices, and schools and nurseries.
VO LU N T E E R I N G K N O W S N O L I M I T S
There are many opportunities to volunteer
in Germany. From nurseries to old people’s
homes, helping people with disabilities or
conservation, integration initiatives and
sports associations, people of all ages can
take part in volunteering services in many
different ways. The Federal Government pro-
vides a range of services to support this form
of civic activity. One example is the Inter­
national Voluntary Service, where partici-
pants contribute to social and environ­mental
projects around the world, or undertake
peace and reconciliation work.
The term "civil society” refers
to the part of society which is
not part of the government or a
political party, but rather acts in a
voluntary and public capacity to
take action on social and political
issues. Clubs and associations play
a significant role when it comes
to voluntary action. Together with
charities, churches, cooperatives,
aid organisations, non-profit or-
ganisations and private initiatives,
the members of Germany’s more
than 620,000 clubs and associ­
ations form the backbone of the
“third sector”.
CHARITABLE
FOUNDATIONS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Charitable foundations in par-
ticular are becoming increasing-
ly significant. With more than
25,000 incorporated foundations
under civil law (the standard legal
form for a foundation) Germa-
ny has one of the highest num-
bers of charitable foundations in
Europe. In 2021 alone, over 800
new foundations were set up. For
Germany as a whole, there are an
average of 29 foundations for every
100,000 members of the popula-
tion. Together, foundations of all
legal structures have access worth
roughly 110 billion euros. The
main role of over half of Germany's
foundations (51.8%) is to support
social causes. It is also common

for foundations to support educa-
tion and childcare (34.5%) and art
and culture (31.6%). The five larg-
est foundations under private law
in terms of expenditure are SRH
Holding, the RAG-Stiftung, the Al-
sterdorf Evangelical Foundation,
the Volkswagen Foundation and
the German Federal Environmen-
tal Foundation.
Community foundations are a
growing force, where members of
the public act as joint funders to
support local or regional projects.
The first foundations of this kind
Many people in Germany use their free time to support voluntary projects and associations.
DIVE RS E S OCI E TY 136 | 137
were established in 1996. Since then, over 250 have
been created and they bear the seal of the Association
of German Foundations.
While levels of involvement in social projects and
organisations have increased slightly in recent years,
the main shift has been away from larger associ­
ations and towards small, independently organised
groups and project-focused activities. One particu-
larly significant period was during the major influx
of refugees in 2015 and 2016, when many people in
Germany volunteered through local initiatives to
support the asylum seekers. The Covid-19 pandemic
has seen the emergence of new forms of voluntary
activities, such as going shopping for people in at-
risk groups.
Culture and media
T H R I V I N G N AT I O N O F C U LT U R E
Germany has a diverse culture and media landscape, it reflects the
nation’s federal structure and is open to new approaches and influ-
ences from around the world. A summary.

I N T E R C U LT U R A L DI A LO G U E
Promoting international cooperation and dialogues between soci-
eties through culture and education is a core element of German
foreign policy.

A RT I S T I C A N D C U LT U R A L F R E E D O M
The Federal Government has pledged to make supporting culture
in all its diversity a state objective. Cultural freedom is protected by
the Basic Law.

A S S U R I N G F R E E D O M F O R T H E M E DI A
A free press is one of the most important preconditions for democ-
racy. Digitalisation is changing the media.

AT T R AC T I V E L A N G UAG E
Learning German is on the up, prompted by attractive employment
opportunities and the good quality of life in Germany.
 1998
Around
marked the creation
130 million of the office of
PEOPLE Federal Government
Commissioner for
speak German as their first language,
Culture and the
or use it regularly as an additional language.
Media.

Around the world the

158 INSTITUTES
C U LT U R E A N D M E D I A IN 98 COUNTRIES

7 Facts
of the Goethe-Institut
provide access to the
German language and
culture.

51
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
of natural or cultural significance are found in
60 MILLION Germany. In Europe only Italy has more
PEOPLE world heritage sites.
in Germany
regularly read a
printed newspaper
or access a digital
newspaper at Between 1981 and 2021
least once a week. Germany has funded
the preservation of over
Article 5
of the Basic Law

3,600
cultural assets in
protects the freedoms of
opinion, of the press, and
of the arts.
144 countries.

Thriving nation
of culture
Germany has a rich and diverse cultural life,
steeped in tradition and open to new perspectives.
The Basic Law protects the freedom of the arts just as
it does the freedom of the press.
Germany’s reputation as a major cultural nation is
based on great literary figures such as Goethe, Schil-
ler and Thomas Mann, and famous composers such as
Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Yet contemporary au-
thors like Juli Zeh, Carolin Emcke and Navid Kermani
and musicians like Robin Schulz, Zoe Wees and Milky
Chance are keeping Germany’s cultural life in the pub-
lic eye around the world.
In recent years, young artists and creators from mi-
grant backgrounds have made a particular contribu-
tion, opening up new perspectives through their work
A space for international art at Kunsthalle Düsseldorf
CULTURE A ND M EDIA 140 | 141
and enriching the cultural land-
scape. The work taking place at
the Maxim Gorki Theatre in Berlin
is a prime example of this, whose
director, Shermin Langhoff, has
coined the term “postmigrant the-
atre”. A strong postmigrant current
is also underway in the world of
literature, represented by writers
like Nino Haratischwili, Abbas Kh-
ider and Saša Stanišić.
FEDERAL TRADITION
Germany’s federal structure also
contributes to the richness and
diversity of the country’s cultural
landscape. Since its foundation in
1949 and reunification in 1990, the
Federal Republic has conscious-
ly drawn on its federal traditions
and handed over responsibility for
culture to the states. In the past,
Germany was made up of many
free cities and small and me­dium-
sized states. One remnant of this
former structure are the 140 or
so city and state theatres, 200 pri-
vate theatres and 130 profession-
al orchestras, some of which are
connected to public broadcasters.
Over 7,200 museums and exhib­
ition halls make up an unparalleled
museum sector. In addition there
are world-famous cultural events
across the whole country. These
include Berlin’s international film
festival, the Berlinale, the Bayreuth
Festival, the Frankfurt Book Fair
and Rock am Ring.
 “Freedom of the
press and freedom of
reporting by means
of broadcasts and
films shall be guar-
anteed. There shall
be no censorship.”
Basic Law, Article 5

The singer Zoe Wees performs with the Band of the Bundeswehr,
in the Elbphilharmonie.

Germany’s cultural and creative economy is one of its
most innovative sectors. accounting for just under 3%
of GDP in 2020. The Federal Government is keen to
boost the creative and cultural economy, and has ex-
panded funding and financing tools to this end.
DIALOGUE IN “PRE-POLITICAL” SPACES
Foreign cultural and educational policy is a high pri-
ority for Germany. Alongside classical diplomacy and
foreign economic policy, it forms a core element of the
foreign policy spectrum. Through dialogue between
people and civil society, it facili-
tates discussions in what Germans
call “pre-political spaces”. This
creates opportunities to improve
mutual comprehension. It allows
conflicts and crises to be defused,
and a basis for discussion persists
even during periods of political
instability. One way this basis can
make a difference is by helping
at-risk artists and creative indi-

viduals to find refuge in Germany
or a third country through one of
the protection programmes run by
the Federal Foreign Office, where
they can then continue their work
supported by scholarships. Foreign
cultural and educational policy is
also responsible for restoring and
preserving significant buildings
and items of global cultural heri­
tage and promoting the German
CULTURE A ND M EDIA 142 | 143
language abroad. Through its funding for translations,
the Federal Foreign Office is also committed to ensur-
ing that Germany’s cultural diversity is available to
international audiences.
FREEDOMS ENSHRINED IN THE BASIC LAW
Freedom of the arts is enshrined in Article 5 of the Ba-
sic Law. The Federal Government has pledged to make
supporting culture in all its diversity a state objective.
The office of the Federal Government Commissioner
for Culture and the Media was created in 1998. The
Basic Law also guarantees freedom of opinion and the
press, since a free press is one of the most important
preconditions for democracy. The constitution says:
“There shall be no censorship.”
According to the ranking compiled by Reporters
Without Borders, an NGO, Germany placed 16th out
of 180 countries in 2021. The press is not controlled
by governments or parties. Instead, media companies
are funded through private enterprise. Germany has
the world’s fifth-largest newspaper market, after Chi-
na, India, Japan and the US. The independent public
broadcasters form another key pillar of Germany’s free
media. These broadcasters report in an objective and
unbiased way from all regions of Germany, free from
economic and political interests.
MANY OPPORTUNITIES
TO LEARN GERMAN
Just under 15.5 million people around the world
are currently learning German. The majority are in
Europe, but increasing numbers of learners are in
Africa and Asia. Germany’s strong economy and
the demand for skilled workers, accompanied by its
high-quality higher education system, make learning
German a very attractive option. The Goethe-Institut’s
158 offices in 98 countries provide a gateway to Ger-
many’s language and culture.

Intercultural
dialogue
Foreign cultural and educational policy is a core elem­
ent of a comprehensive foreign policy. Sharing ideas
through exchange and cooperating on culture and
education, academia and research create “pre-polit­
ical spaces” and form the basis for sustainable foreign
policy for societies. It is through the dialogue between
people and civil society organisations that new ways
towards shared perspectives can be found. This also
creates a basis to defuse conflicts and crises at an early
stage, or even to prevent them.
CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
PROMOTE EXCHANGES
Germany’s foreign cultural and educational policy
also promotes the German language around the world,
with the aim of raising awareness
of Germany as a culture with a
rich and diverse cultural life. Cur-
rent initiatives include promoting
a var­iety of cultural programmes
such as exhibitions, coopera-
tion projects by German theatres,
supporting literature and films,
along with various education pro-
grammes such as the PASCH ini-
tiative (“Schools: Partners for the
Future”), a network of almost 2,000
schools that offer German as a for-
eign language. Foreign cultural and
education policy also covers pro-
jects in dialogue with the Islamic
world and “kulturweit”, a project
that allows young people from
Germany to spend a year doing
voluntary service abroad.
To deliver foreign cultural and
education policy, the Federal For-
 CULTURE A ND M EDIA 144 | 145

Restoring and cataloguing manuscripts from

Timbuktu in Mali

eign Office mainly works with pri- RETURNING BRONZES TO AFRICA –

vate intermediaries with a range
of specialisms. These include the
Goethe-Institut, the ifa, the Ger-
man Academic Exchange Service
(DAAD), the German Commission
for UNESCO, the Deutsche Aus-
landsgesellschaft, and the Alex-
ander von Humboldt Foundation.
The Federal Foreign Office also
partners with political, private and
business-financed foundations,
civil society organisations and sub-
ordinate authorities.
SETTING A NEW STANDARD
In July 2022 Germany and Nigeria agreed on a historic
return of the “Benin Bronzes” from West Africa. These
sculptures were taken to German museums after they
were looted during the colonial era. The agreement
introduced a new phase of the cultural partnership. It
strengthens the partnerships between the museums
and intensifies joint archaeological projects in order
to give more people access to these works of art. The
agreement, which is supported by the Federal Govern-
ment, the states and Germany’s museums, is a clear
sign that Germany is increasing its efforts to engage
with the responsibility that arises from colonialism.

Foreign cultural policy values a

holistic view of culture that ac-
knowledges the effect that culture
can achieve in terms of foreign
and social policy. This includes the
significance for societies of their
cultural heritage. Germany’s pro-
gramme to preserve cultural as-
sets around the world helps foster
cultural identities. The programme
has helped preserve manuscripts
from Timbuktu in Mali, as well as
making digital recordings of trad­
itional music from Afghanistan
and conserving the Angkor Wat
UNESCO World Heritage site. In
the period from 1981 to 2021, Ger-
many provided almost 90 million
euros to fund over 3,600 projects in
146 countries. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Lai Mohammed,
Nigeria’s Minster for Culture, at the signing of the agreement on
the Benin Bronzes.

Freedom of
art and culture
The independence of art and culture are guaranteed
by Germany’s Basic Law, Article 5 of which states: “Arts
and sciences, research and teaching shall be free.” This
arises from the conviction that new ideas and thinking
from arts and culture can be very significant to mod-
ern democratic society. The state therefore provides
funding to artists and cultural institutions in order to
preserve their independence from the free market.
Art and culture are also funded privately in Germany,
such as by companies and foundations, and public and
private funding are often intertwined. The state sup-
ports the efforts of private donors through tax breaks,
thereby providing indirect public funding beyond its
own budget. In addition to this, other subsidies are also
available for art and culture, such as the artists social
insurance established by the Federal Government. This
ensures that independent creative practitioners can
enjoy the same social, health, employment and other
protections as people in contracted employment. Art-
ists must only cover half of their insurance costs them-
selves. The remaining half is covered by subsidies from
Federal Government and social security contributions
from businesses that make use of art and communica-
tion services.
“CULTURE RESTART” PROGRAMME
IN THE PANDEMIC
The financial difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pan-
demic were particularly severe for small cultural in-
stitutions and independent artists.
The Federal Government therefore
set up a range of programmes to
support them. Independent artists
working alone and small busi-
nesses could apply for immediate
financial support, for example. By
the end of June 2022, around 5 mil-
lion applications for funding had
been received, along with 170,000
applications for loans. Around 130
billion euros of economic support
was provided.
MANIFESTO FOR THE
F REEDOM OF THE ARTS
The “Culture Restart” special
programme comprises subsidies
worth around 2 billion euros. It
has been extended until 2023 for
the time being. The programme is
primarily aimed at cultural insti-
tutions, the majority of which are
privately funded. Up to 2.5 billion
euros are available in the Fed-
eral Government’s special fund
for cultural events. The funds
are to help plan and resume the
provision of cultural events. The
“kurzarbeit” model of support for
workers on reduced hours is also
being employed in the cultural
sector.
Even during the Covid-19 pan-
demic, artistic and cultural free-

Creativity without anxiety: the German state is supporting independent artists.
dom is a precious asset that de-
serves protection. This is all the
more pressing, as far-right nation-
alist parties in Germany and other
European countries have increas-
ingly put this autonomy at risk.
These parties are demanding that
cultural sub­sidies be linked to the
content of the art. In an effort to
counteract this, around 60 institu-
tions responded to an initiative by
the Berlin Academy of Arts to form
the European Alliance of Acade-
mies, which published a manifes-
to in Berlin in October 2020. In its
CULTURE A ND M EDIA 146 | 147
Manifesto, the Alliance pledges its commitment to “the
freedom of the arts as a prerequisite for our cultural,
social and political way of life.”
NEW ARTISTIC NARRATIVE
A new narrative has emerged in artistic works in re-
cent years, one which is shaped by external influen­
ces, biographies of migration and new perspectives.
Above all it has been young artists who have found
forms of articulation that allow them to respond to
how different cultures of origin collide and coalesce.
The work taking place at the Maxim Gorki Theatre in
Berlin is representative of postmigrant art, as is the
majority of contemporary musical culture and liter-
ary activity. 

Assuring freedom
for the media
A free press is one of the most important precondi-
tions for a democracy. In Germany, that is protected
by the Basic Law. Article 5 describes freedom of opin-
ion and the press as: “Every person shall have the
right freely to express and disseminate his opinions
in speech, writing and pictures and to inform himself
without hindrance from generally accessible sources.
(. . .) There shall be no censorship.”
The lifeblood of press freedom is a diverse media
landscape. People in Germany can find information
in sources of all kinds and form their own opinions.
The press is not controlled by governments or parties.
Instead, media companies are funded through private
enterprise.
Germany has the world’s fifth-larg-
est newspaper market, after Chi-
na, India, Japan and the US, and
the largest market in Europe. The
media in Germany currently in-
cludes around 320 mostly region-
al daily newspapers, 16 weekly
newspapers and 1,300 magazines.
According to the ranking compiled
by Reporters Without Borders, an
NGO, Germany placed 16th out of
180 countries in 2021.
COMBATING FAKE NEWS AND
DISINFORMATION
Digitalisation has brought about
a marked shift in the media that
Germans can access. For ex­ample,
in 2021 around 260 titles were
available as daily e-newspapers,
with a total readership of 2.2 mil-
lion. Media consumption has also

M I L E S TO N E S

1945 1950 1984

In the years after the end
of Nazi rule, newspapers
may only be published
in Germany under Allied
licence. The first licence to
be awarded in the US zone
of occupation goes to the
Frankfurter Rundschau on
01 August 1945.
The six West German
broadcasters meet in
Bremen and agree to form
the “Arbeitsgemeinschaft
der öffentlich-rechtli-
chen Rundfunkanstalten
der Bundesrepublik
Deutschland”, now known
as ARD.
The “Programmgesellschaft
für Kabel- und Satelliten-
rundfunk”, or PKS for
short, goes on air from
Ludwigshafen. This marks
the birth of private TV
broadcasting in Germany,
the culmination of 20 years
of debate.
 CULTURE A ND M EDIA 148 | 149

changed significantly. In the first
quarter of 2022, 78 million people
(93%) went online regularly, while
73 million are active on social
media. As in many other countries,
the digital revolution has brought
with it a new understanding of the
public sphere, as social media and
blogs allow everyone to contrib-
ute their opinions to discussions.
Nevertheless, the media still have
a key role, such as when it comes
to combating fake news and disin-
formation. Journalists are respon-
sible for informing the public on
the basis of careful research and
faithful reporting. Germany’s pub-
lic service broadcasters have a legal
mandate to supply as many people
as possible with information, edu-
cation, advice and entertainment.
They follow the British model as corporate bodies
funded by licence fees or public entities, and form
the second pillar of a dual system built on both public
and private services. This principle has essentially re-
mained unchanged since the foundation of the Federal
Republic in 1949.
TELEVISION
IN 30 LANGUAGES
Germany’s public service broadcasters include ARD,
which stands for Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffent­lich-
rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik
Deutschland (the Working Group of Public Broadcast-
ers of the Federal Republic of Germany), ZDF (Zweites
Deutches Fernsehen) and Deutschlandradio. Deutsche
Welle (DW) is Germany’s international broadcasting
service and a member of ARD. DW broadcasts in 30
languages, providing TV, radio, Internet and media
development as part of the DW Academy. The German
News Service provides news in nine languages free of
charge for media organisations and interested mem-
bers of the public.

1995 2001 2022

Only six years after the
birth of the World Wide
Web, three German daily
newspapers go online. Taz
(a centre-left paper), the
Schweriner Volkszeitung
and Rhein Zeitung rapidly
develop online communities
of readers.
The Rhein Zeitung, from
Rhineland-Palatinate, is
the first daily newspaper
in the world to provide
a daily e-edition. By
2021, around 2.2 million
e-newspapers are sold
each day across 261
different titles.
Around 93% of people
in Germany (78 million)
are online, and 87% use
social media (73 million).
The average user has five
accounts. There are 118
million mobile phones for
83.2 million people.
 Media in Germany –
facts and figures
EUROPE’S LARGESTNEWSPAPER MARKET
Germany has a large and varied range of newspapers and magazines.

339 NEWSPAPERS 7,000 MAGAZINES

318 daily newspapers 1,300 mass-market magazines
16 weekly papers 5,600 specialist journals
5 Sunday papers
circulation approx.
15 million 2022, 2nd quarter, source: BDZV

DIGITAL NEWSPAPERS
German newspapers sell over
INCREASED MEDIA
2 million digital newspapers each publication day,
CONSUMPTION ONLINE the majority to regular subscribers.
Median internet use
per day in minutes

2,207,995 copies
2019 99
1,500,000 copies
40%
2020 120
1,000,000 copies 30%

Copies sold 20%

2021 136 500,000 copies
10%
0 50 100 150

2010 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021

Source: ARD/ZDF online survey 2021
Source: ZMG circulation data, basis: IVW quarterly circulation lists
 CULTURE A ND M EDIA 150 | 151

THE GUARANTOR OF
DIVERSITY AND INDEPENDENT REPORTING:
GERMANY’S PUBLIC SERVICE
BROADCASTERS
“You cannot have free
and democratic so-
cieties without a free
and diverse press. It
isn’t just the lifeblood H AM B U RG

BREMEN
of any democracy, but B E R L IN

when called upon,

it is a full-throated CO LO GNE
L E IPZIG
B O NN
bulwark in defence of
FR ANK FU RT
human rights.” MAIN Z

SAARB RÜ C K E N
FE D E R AL FO R E IGN MIN IST ER
STRASSBO U RG
ANNALE NA BAE R BOCK
M U NIC H
S TU TTGART

HIGH LEVELS OF MEDIA USE

Almost everyone uses media every day.
Average use is over seven hours a day.

Daily reach in percent Usage in minutes

Media (total) 99
t
Tex2 Media
5 use
Moving images 89
M o 222

total
ving Images

net:

451
Audio 85
Au 77
dio
1

Text 45 minutes

0 20 40 60 80 100

Daily reach: proportion of people who have used a medium in the course of a day.
Source: ARD/ZDF mass communication trends 2021
People learning German improve their chances in the global job market thanks to strong language skills.

Along with English, Dutch and

Swedish, German is one of the
15 or so Germanic languages, a
branch of the Indo-Germanic fam-
Attractive ily of languages.

language POPULAR SECOND LANGUAGE

AROUND THE WORLD
Germany’s strong economy and
Germany is the most widely spoken first language the demand for skilled workers
in the European Union and ranks 11th in the world’s make learning German a very
most widely spoken languages. Just under 130 million attractive option. A 2020 study
people across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxem- into German language learn-
bourg, Belgium, Liechtenstein and South Tyrol in Italy ing around the world claims
speak German as their first language or regularly use it there are just under 15.5 million
as a second language. people currently learning German

as a foreign language. It remains
the case that the majority of these
learners are in Europe, but Ger-
man is making particularly strong
gains in Africa and Asia. The num-
ber of people learning German
in Africa has risen by almost 50%
since 2015. One reason behind
this is that language qualifications
are becoming increasingly im-
portant for skilled workers. This
trend has been boosted by new
legislation passed in 2020 which
makes it easier for qualified work-
ers from non-EU countries to mi-
grate to Germany.
CULTURE A ND M EDIA 152 | 153
Germany supports language schools at home and
abroad. It also offers scholarships and provides oppor-
tunities for internationally mobile students to study in
higher education. The Federal Foreign Office is work-
ing to train more teachers through targeted programs
with intermediary organizations, such as “Dhoch3” run
by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) or
“Deutsch Lehren Lernen” run by the Goethe-Institut.
There are around 140 German schools abroad, which
play a major role in teaching German. They provide
enhanced German teaching to around 2,000 pupils
as part of the Federal Foreign Office’s PASCH scheme
(Schools: Partners for the Future). In 2020, some
309,000 people took part in language courses provided
by the Goethe-Institut, which provides German lan-
guage courses and tests in almost 100 countries. This
was an increase of around 73,000 compared to 5 years
previously.
The demand for digital language learning has also
increased, boosted recently by the Covid-19 pandem-
ic. For example, the Goethe-Institut’s online learn-
ing platform recorded around 1.2 million hits in May
2020. There had been only 326,000 in the same month
the previous year. In the same period, usage of on-
line courses provided by Deutsche Welle doubled to
4.2 million hits.
GERMAN IN ACADEMIA
There has been a gradual decline in the importance of
German as the international language of science. Re-
searchers who do not speak German only rarely pub-
lish in German. By contrast, German-speaking aca­
demics actively publish in English, particularly in the
natural sciences. German has a long and significant
heritage as an academic language in the humanities
and social sciences. 
Living in Germany
L A N D O F DI V E R S I T Y
From the cities to the countryside, Germany is a varied and cosmo-
politan country with a high quality of life. A summary.

L E I S U R E LY E N J OY M E N T
Healthy and delicious! Germany’s culinary scene favours regional
produce, innovative methods and traditional recipes.

C I T I E S – A G R E AT P L AC E TO L I V E
Many people in Germany live in cities whose reputation for a great
quality of life is known around the world. Cities are the focus of
Federal Government support for building social housing.

S P O RT I N G C H A L L E N G E S
With international success across many different sports and mil-
lions of people playing sport in their free time, Germany is a sport-
ing nation. Sport also has an important role in promoting inte-
gration.

P O P U L A R T R AV E L D E S T I N AT I O N
Whether you want mountains and lakes or city breaks with cul­
tural highlights, Germany offers countless opportunities as a trav-
el destination. Environmentally friendly options are becoming
ever more popular.
 The average German
Germany has a high standard of living.
spends around
In the 2021 United Nations Human Development
Index, Germany ranked 1 hour a day
playing sport,
9th hobbies
out of 191 countries.
and games.

LIVING IN GERMANY 316

7 Facts
VEGAN
cafés and restaurants
are now open in
Germany.

The average population

density in Germany is

233 PEOPLE
per square kilometre.
There are
The most densely populated cities are Berlin

80
major cities in
(4,090 people per km²), Hamburg (2,446/km²)
and Bremen (1,624/km²).

Germany.
–
The capital

327
Berlin

9%
has the largest
population –
3.8 million.
of Germany’s
RESTAURANTS working population
in Germany have are employed
one or more in the tourist industry.
Michelin stars.

Land of diversity
Germany is a great place to live. It is a coun-
try of great diversity, attracting visitors through the
allure of cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Munich,
as well as its ever-changing landscape from the North
Sea to the Alps.
Covering around 358,000km², Germany is the
fourth-largest country in the European Union, after
France, Spain and Sweden. From the North Sea and the
Baltic in the north to the Alps in the south, Ger­many’s
main geographical regions are the North German
Plain, the Central Uplands, the hills of the south-west,
the foothills of the Alps in the south, and the Bavarian
Alps. From its northernmost to its southernmost point,
Germany measures 876km, and 640km from the most
easterly to the most westerly point.
Germany’s beautiful beaches are a popular tourist destination.
LIVING IN GE RM A NY 156 | 157
Germany has one of the highest
standards of living in the world. Ac-
cording to the 2021 United Nations
Human Development Index, Ger-
many ranked 9th out of 191 coun-
tries. With a population of over
83 million, Germany is the most
populous country in the EU and
one of the most densely populated.
Around 77% of the population live
in densely or moderately populat-
ed areas. Around 30% of the popu-
lation live in major cities with over
100,000 inhabitants. There are 80
such cities in Germany. The cities
also attract many tourists. Berlin is
a particularly popular choice and
regularly sets new visitor records.
Berlin is a metropolis of 3.8 million
people and the third most popular
tourist city in Europe in terms of
overnight stays, behind London
and Paris.
CREATING EQUAL LIVING
CONDITIONS
The Federal Government is com-
mitted to delivering good living
conditions for people of all nation-
alities across the whole country,
from cities to the countryside. The
gap has narrowed between East
and West Germany since reunifica-
Picturesque cities are the ideal place for a stroll. Quedlinburg in Saxony-Anhalt is a World Heritage Site.

tion in 1990, and living conditions are becoming more of measures aimed at increasing
and more similar. A new “Future Centre for European employment, mobility and infra-
Transformation and German Unity” has been set up to structure.
continue the process of social cohesion, and to demon-
strate the close connection between German unity and HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE IN
democracy in Europe. CITIES AND THE COUNTRYSIDE
Digitalisation, the energy transi-
Germany’s demographic transition is particularly ap- tion and new forms of mobility
parent in rural areas and regions with a lack of well- are causing far-reaching changes
paid jobs, where rates of urban migration are above to how people live. They are also
average. The Federal Government is providing target- creating new opportunities, such
ed support for affected areas in the form of packages as making it easier for people to
 LIVING IN GE RM A NY 158 | 159

balance their families and careers.
Germany is therefore investing in
modern standards such as trans-
port that is comprehensive, net-
worked, affordable, climate-friend-
ly and suitable for daily use. It is
also funding high-speed mobile
and broadband, expanding re-
newable energy and modernising
healthcare.
Over half of the population of
Germany live in rural areas, small
towns or villages. The countryside
is an attractive place to live, work
and relax. Just under half of Ger-
many’s economic output is gen-
erated in rural areas. Nevertheless,
cities are attracting many people
thanks to many job opportunities
and the variety of cultural and leis­
15.87 billion euros on organic food and drink products.
There are over 35,000 organic farms in Germany, one
in eight of all businesses in this category. They cultivate
10.8% of all agricultural land. Over 64% of these farms
are run in accordance with the regulations of organic
farming associations – almost two-thirds of Germany’s
total organic industry. Organic products are support-
ed by certification systems; thus far over 100,000 have
been registered in the Organic Seal database. Around
8 million people in Germany identify as vegetarians,
and around 1.6 million say they are vegans. Never-
theless, there remains a demand for gourmet cuisine,
with 327 restaurants in Germany holding one or more
Michelin stars in the 2022 Michelin Guide – more than
ever. 
Straight from the field to the market stall,
markets emphasise regional products.

ure activities. Many German cities

also have plenty of green spaces
such as parks compared to other
cities around the world. From the
city to the countryside, Germany is
working to ensure that people can
live where they want to, regardless
of where they come from. A range
of initiatives is underway, such as
rent caps and a “housing offensive”.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD
People’s desire for a metropolitan
lifestyle is matched by a demand
for a distinctive regional character,
particularly when it comes to food.
The organic food industry is firmly
established in German agriculture.
In 2021, German consumers spent
From vegetarian and vegan to crossover and traditional cuisine, Germany’s culinary scene is dynamic and diverse.

German wine has been enjoying

an international renaissance since
the turn of the millennium. The
Leisurely “Riesling miracle” is embodied by
a generation of young winemakers
enjoyment who prioritise high quality instead
of large yields. Germany’s climatic
conditions lend its wines a fine tex-
German cuisine, wine and beer are popular around the ture without high alcohol content.
world and in high demand. Regional and health-fo-
cused products are particularly fashionable. Yet for all THRIVING AND ADAPTABLE
the many international influences, many amateur and WINE CULTURE
professional chefs are returning to home grown in- Wine is grown in 13 regions across
gredients. Organic foods are making up an ever larger Germany with a wide range of
share of the market. distinctive regional characteris-

tics. Germany has around 103,000
hectares under vine and some
15,000 or so producers, making it a
medium-sized producer when
compared to other wine-produc-
ing nations. Production in 2021
stood at 8.45 million hectolitres.
Around 10% of Germany’s total
wine-producing area is given over
to organic wine production. Ger-
many’s wine-growing areas are
some of the most northerly in the
world. Most are located in the south
and south-west of the country, the
exceptions being the regions of
LIVING IN GE RM A NY 160 | 161
Sax­ony and Saale-Unstrut. The three largest wine-pro-
ducing areas are Rheinhessen, Pfalz and Baden. While
over 100 different grape varieties are cultivated in Ger-
many, around 20 dominate the market, particularly the
white Riesling and Müller-Thurgau grapes. White wine
accounts for 68% of German wine production. Red
wine makes up 32%, with Pinot Noir and Dornfelder as
the leading varietals. In 2021, the German Commission
for UNESCO included Germany’s wine culture in the
country’s “intangible cultural heritage”.
TRADITIONS AND NEW HABITS
Germany is also a beer-loving land, whose beer is ap-
preciated as belonging to a centuries-old tradition of
brewing by many small family-owned breweries and
monastic breweries. Apart from a very few exceptions,
all German beer is subject to the Purity Law of 1516,
the world’s oldest regulation for foodstuffs. The Law
states that beer may contain water, hops and barley
and no other ingredients. Between 5,000 and 6,000
types of beer are produced in Germany, most of them
in the pilsner style. Overall, however, beer consump-
tion is falling. A popular trend in recent years has been
craft beers. Produced by small, independent breweries,
these beers focus on unusual flavour combinations.
The German restaurant industry is known for its dyna-
mism and diversity and is considered among the best
in Europe. Haute cuisine sits alongside crossover cook-
ing and an increasing range of restaurants catering to
vegetarian and vegan tastes. Meanwhile, traditional
varieties of produce are enjoying a renaissance, such as
parsnips, turnips and Jerusalem artichokes. These are
the pillars of the current boom in all things healthy,
seasonal, regional and reminiscent of home cooking.
At the same time, a generation of young chefs are re-
interpreting classic dishes and spicing them up with
global influences. 
 CITIES BECOM E STADIUMS

Spectacular scenes draw in the crowds – right

in the heart of German cities! From surfing in
Munich to extreme climbing on the Frankfurt
skyline and even kite landboarding in Berlin
(a combination of skateboarding and kite-
surfing), German cities are stadiums for sport
lovers.

Cities – a great
place to live
Germany’s major cities always do well in quality of
life rankings. More and more people in Germany want
to live in urban areas. German cities are often noted
for their good jobs, clean environments, low crime, a
wide range of leisure and cultural activities, and good
transport connections. In 2022 The Economist (a Brit-
ish magazine) published its ranking of the quality of
life in major cities around the world. Three German
cities came in the top 25: Frankfurt am Main placed
7th, Hamburg 16th and Düsseldorf 22nd.
Germany has 80 cities with over 100,000 inhabit-
ants, and there are 618 medium-sized towns and
cities with populations between 20,000 and 99,999.
Around three-quarters of the population as a whole
live in towns and cities. However, experts disagree on
whether the strong trend in favour of living in cities was
at least temporarily slowed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Given the many new flexible ways of working such as
working from home, it may become less of a priority for
many people to live close to their workplace.
PRESERVING SOCIAL DIVERSITY
IN THE HOUSING MARKET
The demand for housing in urban areas has led to a
sharp rise in rents for renters starting new contracts, as
well as significant increases in property prices. When
ranked by home ownership rates, Germany ranks
second-to-last out of the OECD countries, with 47%
Surf and the city: surfers love Munich’s Eisbachwelle.
LIVING IN GE RM A NY 162 | 163
of households owning their own
homes. In contrast, the majority
rent their homes. The average Ger-
man spends 27% of their income
on housing expenses. In response,
the Federal Government has initi-
ated a rent cap which is aimed at
preserving social diversity in areas
where the housing market is fac-
ing pressures. Thanks to the rent
cap, federal states can specify areas
where landlords may not increase
rents by more than 10% more than
a comparable home when renew-
ing a tenancy.
There are high levels of demand for
housing in many regions. In order
to meet this need, the Federal Gov-
ernment plans to build 400,000 new
homes a year, including 100,000
publicly funded homes. The Fed­eral
Government also plans to spend
14.5 billion euros on constructing
social housing by 2026. A range of
strategies is in place to promote
home ownership, such as by offer-
ing loans in lieu of equity and inter-
est rate reductions.

Sporting challenges
Germany loves sport and it has enjoyed great success
in international competitions. In the medal table for
all modern Olympic Games, Germany ranked sec-
ond in 2022 with over 1,800 medals, behind only the
USA. Some 27 million people in Germany belong to
the country’s 90,000 or so sports clubs. In addition to
their sporting activities, these clubs have an important
function in promoting participation and socialisation,
particularly in the areas of youth work and integra-
tion. Almost all clubs have people from migrant back-
grounds in their teams.
The “Integration through Sport” programme is funded
jointly by the German Olympic Sports Confeder­ation
(DOSB) and the Federal Office for Migration and Ref-
ugees. It acknowledges how migration enriches Ger-
many’s sporting landscape. The
DOSB is an umbrella organisation
for sport in Germany and claims to
be the largest civilian movement in
the country. It funds both elite and
mass participation sports. The Ger-
man Football Association (DFB),
which has 7.2 million members, is
part of the DOSB.
VOLUNTARY WORK WITH
REFUGEES
The Federal Government has
joined forces with the DFB and the
DFB’s Edigius Braun Foundation
to set a further integration initia­
tive in motion. This supports ac-
tivities such as projects to integrate
refugees into sport. The German
national football team is support-
ing the “1:0 für ein Willkommen”
project (1:0 for a welcome) and
its successor project, “2:0 für ein

M I L E S TO N E S

1954 1972 1988

Germany beats
Hungary 3:2 in
Switzerland to win
the football World
Cup for the first time.
The “Miracle of Bern”
becomes a lasting
symbol of post-war
Germany.
The summer Olympic Steffi Graf becomes the
Games in Munich first woman to win the
are overshadowed tennis “Golden Slam”,
when Israeli athletes winning all four major
are taken hostage tournaments plus an
and murdered by Olympic gold medal
Palestinian terrorists. within a single calendar
year.
 LIVING IN GE RM A NY 164 | 165

Willkommen”. Since 2015 these
projects have provided financial
support to over 3,700 clubs for
their voluntary work with refugees.
The Bundesliga is the shining light
in German sport. As the top flight
of German football, it is consid-
ered one of the most competitive
leagues. Germany’s national men’s
and women’s teams are among the
most successful teams in the world.
Alongside football, popular sports
in Germany include gymnastics,
athletics and handball.
and men from Germany have enjoyed high levels of suc-
cess in international competition and the Paralympics.
NATIONS BROUGHT TOGETHER THROUGH SPORT
German sporting organisations are working through
the International Sports Promotion programme to
help develop sport in several countries in the Global
South. The Federal Foreign Office is a partner in the
programme. Over 1,500 short and long-term projects
have been delivered in over 130 countries since the
early 1960s. 

The Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe

has played a major role in much
of Germany’s sporting success
through its support for around
4,000 athletes each year. Another
major area of its work concerns
supporting and funding athletes
with disabilities. Such sportswomen

Malaika Mihambo, queen of the long jump

2006 2014 2022

Germany hosts the FIFA
World Cup under the motto
of “A time to make friends”.
The tournament becomes
an unforgettable “summer
fairy tale”, which garners a
great deal of approval for
Germany around the world.
Following a strong per- The long jumper
formance in the football Malaika Mihambo
World Cup in Brazil, wins her second
Germany’s national team world championship.
lift the trophy again after Born in Heidelberg,
defeating Argentina 1:0 in Mihambo also holds
the final. It is the fourth the Olympic and
time Germany has won European titles.
the World Cup since 1954.

Popular
travel destination
The Germans love to travel, not just abroad, but espe-
cially at home. For years now the Alps, the coasts, the
North German lakes, nature reserves, and river valleys
have headed the list of destinations. Germans have a
passion for the varied landscape, for opportunities to
go sightseeing, play sports or just relax – something
they have long shared with visitors from abroad.
Germany’s popularity as a tourist destination started
rising immediately after Reunification in 1990 and
continued unabated until the Covid-19 pandemic,
with overnight stays by foreign visitors increasing by
around 88%. In 2021 the number of overnight stays
stood at 310.3 million, 31 million of which were by
foreign visitors. Most international visitors come from
Europe, primarily from the Netherlands, Switzerland,
Poland and Austria.
The conference and trade fair in-
dustry also brings many people to
Germany. Before the pandemic be-
gan, Germany was Europe’s leading
location for conferences and trade
fairs, and was second only to the
USA in the world rankings. Some
253,000 international exhibitors
came to trade fairs in Germany.
CULTURAL TREASURES AND
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Germany’s biggest tourist at-
tractions include world-famous
buildings like the Brandenburg
Gate, Neuschwanstein Castle
and Cologne Cathedral. Equal-
ly popular are Germany’s many
UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
such as the Sanssouci Palace in
Potsdam, Naumburg Cathedral
and historic Weimar.

Fun for the whole family – kayaking on the
Staffelsee in Bavaria
Germany’s wide range of oppor-
tunities for active holidays also
draws in many visitors. At around
200,000km in length, Germany’s
network of signposted hiking trails,
for example, offers magnificent
views over the Wadden Sea nation-
al park, for example, the Bavarian
Forest, or the majestic backdrop of
the Alps. Visitors can also enjoy over
200 well-established long-distance
cycle trails stretching over tens of
thousands of kilometres, such as
the Iron Curtain Trail, at 1,131km,
or the 818km-long German Limes
Cycle Route. Those looking for a
cheap place to stay will find plenty
of options, with over 400 youth hos-
tels and around 3,000 camp sites to
choose from.
The five former East German states
also play a major role in tourism.
Beautiful natural areas such as the
Spreewald forest, historic cultural
centres such as Dresden and Wei-
mar, and Baltic seaside resorts like
Binz on the island of Rügen attract
tourists from Germany and abroad.
In terms of overnight stays, visits to
Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt,
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and
Brandenburg more than doubled
between 1993 and the outbreak of
the Covid-19 pandemic.
LIVING IN GE RM A NY 166 | 167
FEEL-GOOD HOLIDAYS
AND ENVIRONMENTALLY
FRIENDLY TRAVEL
Wellness is a hot topic in German travel culture. It in-
cludes unique features such as the river sauna in the
Emser Therme spa complex, along with the relaxing
landscapes of spa resorts like Bad Wörishofen and
Bad Oeynhausen with its mid-19th century archi-
tecture. Germany has over 350 spa resorts recognised
by the Deutscher Heilbäderverband, the association
of spas in Germany. The quality of medical treat-
ment and rehab clinics also attracts many visitors to
Germany.
Demand for eco-tourism and sustainable travel is
also growing in Germany. According to a 2021 study,
three-quarters of German travellers see sustainable
travel as important. More and more travel providers
are using legally binding environmental and social
standards in their branding, supported by the associ-
ated certificates and labels. These relate to the sparing
use of natural resources such as water, for example, cli-
mate-friendly transport, reducing waste, and involve-
ment in species protection projects. Organic farms of-
fer holiday rooms with regional and seasonal menus,
while eco campsites promote conservation and envir­
onmentalism.
Travellers in Germany love spending time in its rich
and varied natural environments, such as the 103
natural parks and 16 UNESCO biosphere reserves.
Everyone should be able to get around easily in
Germany. To this end, many initiatives ensure that
people with disabilities can travel without restric-
tions in Germany.
 Tourism – facts and figures
W H E R E D O E S G E R M A N Y G O O N H O L I DAY ?
The most popular destinations for Germans, at home and abroad.

55.1 million 20.2 million

HOLIDAYS HOLIDAYS
in total in Germany

Top 5, worldwide Top 5 in Germany

Germany Bavaria
37% 18.7%
Spain Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
11.4% 17.2%
Italy Schleswig-Holstein
8% 15.7%
Turkey Lower Saxony
6.2% 11.8%
Croatia Baden-Wurttemberg
4.4% 9.4%

2021, source: Forschungsgemeinschaft Urlaub und Reisen e. V.

There are
around

51
UNESCO World Heritage Sites

7,000
museums and exhibition spaces
in Germany. Of these, 48 are Cultural
Heritage sites and 3 are Natural Heritage
sites. Ten of the World Heritage sites are
transnational or located across national
borders, with some of their area in
in Germany. other countries.
 LIVING IN GE RM A NY 168 | 169

G E R M A N Y ’ S M O S T P O P U L A R C I T I E S F O R D O M E S T I C T R AV E L
Shares of all short stays of between two and four days.

Berlin Hamburg Munich Dresden Cologne Bremen

8.8% 6.9% 3.2% 2.5% 2.1% 1.5%

2021, source: Deutscher Reiseverband

“Increasingly, Germany is a country where you can experience

that it is possible to combine experiencing and protecting
natural resources very effectively.”
R O B E RT H A B E C K ,
F E D E R A L M I N I S T E R F O R E CO N O M I C A F FA I R S A N D C L I M AT E AC T I O N

OV E R N I G H T S TAY S I N G E R M A N Y BY F O R E I G N V I S I TO R S
by most common countries of origin (thousands)

Netherlands 4,711

Switzerland 2,661

Poland 2,568

Austria 1,930

United States 1,806

Denmark 1,507

France 1,454

Belgium 1,404

Italy 1,231

Spain 946
2021, source: Federal Statistical Office
DI SCOV ER GER MA NY ONLINE
If you’d like to know more about politics, economics, society, education and culture in Germany, check out
www.facts-about-germany.de and www.deutschland.de/en for exciting and useful information.
The following pages contain in depth background information on specific topics:

Government and politics

Major government plans – Composition of the
parliament – The 16 federal states – Role of the
Federal President – Decisions by the highest court
in Germany

Federal President:
→ www.bundespraesident.de
Bundesrat (chamber of states): Partners in Europe
→ www.bundesrat.de and around the world
Federal Government:
→ www.bundesregierung.de German foreign policy –
Funding sustainable develop-
German Bundestag:
ment worldwide – Federal
→ www.bundestag.de
armed forces deployments –
Federal Constitutional Court: Involvement in international
→ www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de organisations

Business and digitalisation

Working in Germany – Information for skilled workers –
International trade relationships – Finance hub

Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs: → www.bmas.de

Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport: → www.bmvi.de
Federal Ministry of Finance: → www.bundesfinanzministerium.de
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action: → www.bmwk.de
Federal Employment Agency: → www.arbeitsagentur.de
German Chambers of Commerce Abroad: → www.ahk.de

Climate and Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture: → www.bmel.de

environment
Federal Government climate
and environment policies –
Delivering the energy trans-
formation – Action for conser-
vation – Organic farming –
Sustainable construction
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation,
Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection: → www.bmuv.de
Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building:
→ www.bmwsb.bund.de
German Energy Agency: → www.dena.de
German Environment Agency: → www.umweltbundesamt.de
 DISCOVE R GERM A NY ONLINE 170 | 171

Education and research

Research location Germany – Universities and research institutes –
global academic networks

Federal Ministry of Education and Research: → www.bmbf.de

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: → www.humboldt-foundation.de
Non-university research institutes: → www.mpg.de,
www.fraunhofer.de, www.helmholtz.de, www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de
German Academic Exchange Service: → www.daad.de
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft: → www.dfg.de
German Science and Humanities Council: → www.wissenschaftsrat.de

Federal Foreign Office: → www.auswaertiges-amt.de Diverse society

Federal Ministry of Defence: → www.bmvg.de German welfare state –
Federal Ministry for Economic Migration and integration –
Cooperation and Development: → www.bmz.de Equal rights – Public volunteering
Federal Armed Forces: → www.bundeswehr.de
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Federal Ministry of Family Affairs,
Zusammenarbeit: → www.giz.de Senior Citizens, Women and Youth:
European Union: → www.europa.eu → www.bmfsfj.de
Federal Ministry of Health:
→ www.gesundheitsministerium.de
Culture and media Federal Ministry of the Interior
and Community: → www.bmi.de
International culture and art scene – UNESCO World
Federal Ministry of Justice:
Heritage sites – Language courses in Germany and
abroad – Diverse media landscape → www.bmj.de
Federal Office for Migration and Refugees:
German Commission for UNESCO: → www.unesco.de → www.bamf.de
Deutsche Welle: → www.dw.com
Association of German Foundations:
Goethe-Institut: → www.goethe.de
→ www.stiftungen.org
ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen: → www.ifa.de

Living in Germany
Travel destinations from the North Sea to the Alps – Elite and mass sports –
Facts and figures on the Federal Republic of Germany

German Football Association: → www.dfb.de

German Olympic Sports Confederation: → www.dosb.de
German National Tourist Board: → www.germany.travel
Federal Statistical Office: → www.destatis.de
PIC T URE CREDITS

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I NDEX
A Bundesliga 165
Academia 93, 98-99,102-103,
108, 111, 114, 146, 153
Alliance 90/The Greens
12-13, 22, 24, 31, 42, 82
Alps 20, 76, 156, 166
Alternative for Germany (AfD)
12-13, 25
Automotive industry
74, 81, 86, 91
B Catholic church 130
Bach, Johann Sebastian 141
Bachelor’s degrees 100, 107
Baden-Wurttemberg 13, 30,
101, 168
Baerbock, Annalena 12,
25-26, 35, 41-42, 49, 53,
57, 64, 145, 151
BAföG ( Federal Training
Assistance Act) 106
Basic income 121, 132
Basic Law 4, 7-8, 10-12, 16,
24, 31, 35, 43, 48, 54, 62, 65,
72, 76, 116, 130, 132, 135, 138,
140-143, 146, 148
Bavaria 7, 12-13,20, 25, 29,
167-168
Beer 160-161
Beethoven, Ludwig van 141
Benin Bronzes 145
Berlin 6-7, 11, 13, 20, 29, 30-31,
36-37, 42, 56, 65, 72, 104-105,
107, 115, 131, 141, 147, 151,
156-157, 162, 169
Berlinale 141
Biodiversity 64, 76
Biosphere reserves 76, 167
Birth rate 18
Bologna Process 101
Brahms, Johannes 141
Brandenburg 7, 13, 91,
106, 115, 167
Bremen 7, 13, 29, 131,
148, 151, 156, 169
FACTS A BOUT GE RM A NY
Bundesrat 4, 7, 9, 13, 16,
24, 29-30, 170
Bundestag 4, 6, 8-13, 16,
24-32, 48, 51, 56, 170
Bundeswehr
(Federal Armed Forces)
40, 48-50, 142
C Deutsche Welle 149, 171
Capital 6-7, 11, 20, 156
Center for International Peace
Operations (ZIF) 51
Central Agency for German
Schools Abroad (ZfA) 115
Chambers of Commerce
Abroad 84, 88
Chemicals industry 68, 81, 92
Children 18, 52, 83, 114-115,
125-127, 129, 131, 133-135
Christian Democratic Union
(CDU) 12-13, 25
Christian Social Union (CSU)
12-13, 29
Church taxes 131
Cities 29, 156, 158-159,
162-163, 169
Citizenship laws 125
Civil society 26, 56, 86,
116, 121, 136
Climate 20-21, 59, 108
Climate action 42, 58-59, 63,
64-65, 72-73, 75, 82, 102, 169
Climate foreign policy
64-65, 72
Coastline 21, 50, 166
Conservation 62, 64, 72, 136
Creative economy 91, 141-142
Cuisine 154, 160-161
Cultural assets
preservation programme 145
Culture 136-137, 138, 140-147,
159, 166, 168
Culture of remembrance 22, 36
172 | 173
Currency 16, 47
Cycle routes, long distance 166
D
Deutsche Forschungsgemein-
schaft (DFG) 103
Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit
(GIZ) 171
Development cooperation
43, 95
Diet 159
Diplomacy 142
Diplomatic missions, foreign
40, 42, 84, 108
Dresden 7, 20, 92, 167, 169
Düsseldorf 7, 20, 141, 162
E
Economy 26, 44, 78, 81-84,
86-87, 91-95, 102-103, 106,
143, 152, 169
Education 29, 59, 96, 98-99,
110, 114, 121, 124, 137, 138,
144, 149
Elections 8, 12, 30, 32-33
Electoral system 12
Electric mobility 60, 67, 74-75
Electronics and electrical
engineering industry 92
Élysée Treaty 40, 46
Employment market 78, 82,
94- 95, 99, 109, 120-121, 152
Energy efficiency 66
Energy transformation 26, 59,
63-64,66, 68-69, 70, 75, 158
Environment 60, 62, 72, 76, 87,
102, 136, 163
Erfurt 7, 50
European Union (EU)
45-46, 48, 110
Excellence Initiative 106
Exports 78, 81, 84, 88
F German Football Association
Family 106, 117, 119, 120-121, 126,
132, 134, 158, 161, 167
Federal Chancellor 4, 6, 9-12, 14, 22,
24-29, 42, 47, 71, 82, 89
Federal Constitutional Court 9-10,
12, 16, 22, 31, 170
Federal Convention 8-9, 30
Federal Eagle 16
Federal Foreign Office 170
Federal Government 11-12, 22, 25-
29, 31, 38, 41, 43, 47-48, 51, 53-58,
63-65, 67-68, 72-78, 81-84, 86-87,
93-95, 100, 106, 109, 113, 115-116,
119-136, 138, 140, 142-143, 145-
146, 154, 157-158, 163-164, 170
Federalism 4, 7, 22, 138, 141
Federal Ministries 11
Federal Office for Migration
and Refugees 118, 164
Federal President 4, 8-10 , 14,
16, 24, 30-31, 33, 111, 170
Federal states 6
Female quotas 94
Flag 16
Food security 53, 59
Football 164-165
Foreign cultural and
educational policy 144
Foreign economic policy 142
Foreign policy 27, 38 42-48, 108, 144
Foundations 116, 136-137, 145-146
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft 99, 103
Free Democratic Party (FDP)
12-13, 25
Freedom of religion 116
Freedom of the press 140-143, 148
Free trade agreements 84-85
G Immigrants 43, 129
Geography 20
German Academic Exchange Service
(DAAD) 171
German Democratic
German Environment Agency 170
(DFB) 171
German Language 144
German National Tourist Board
(DZT) 171
German Rectors' Conference
(HRK) 105, 107
Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) 84
Gesamtschule 115
Global player 91-92
Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von 141
Goethe-Institut (GI) 115, 140,
143, 145, 153
Greentech 87
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
26, 80-81, 92-93, 99, 102, 110,
121, 142
Gymnasium 115
H Life expectancy 18-19
Habeck, Robert 12, 25-26, 82, 169
Hamburg 7, 13, 20, 29, 92, 151,
156-157, 163, 169
Hanover 7
Helmholtz Association 99, 103
Hesse 7, 13
Hidden Champions 78, 81, 91
Higher education institutions
96, 98-102, 104-108,
High tech strategy 93, 102
Hiking trails 167
Housing 55, 119, 127, 154, 157, 163
Human rights 27, 38, 41, 43, 48, 54,
56, 59, 78, 86-87, 151
Humboldt Foundation 101,
108-109, 145
I Members of Parliament 8-9,
Imports 81
Industry 4.0 78, 83, 91, 93
Infrastructure 83, 158
Inhabitants 6-7
Innovation 27, 81-83, 93, 103, 106
Institut für
Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa) 145
Integration 38, 42, 44-46, 109,
122, 124-125, 128, 164
Internet 83, 93, 149-150
Islam 130-131
J
Judaism 36-37, 118, 131
K
Kiel 7, 84
L
Land area 20-21
Legislation 4, 6, 9, 28, 132
Leibniz Association 99, 103
Lindner, Christian 12, 25-26
Literature 141, 144
Lower Saxony 7, 13, 168
M
Magdeburg 6, 20
Mainz 7, 100, 151
Mann, Thomas 141
Master’s degrees 108
Max Planck Society (MPG)
98, 102
Mechanical and plant
engineering 81
Mecklenburg-West
Pomerania 7, 13, 167-168
Media 35, 92, 138, 140, 143,
149, 151
12-13, 30, 32, 33, 40, 44, 46
Merkel, Angela 15, 25, 29, 31
Migration 95, 120, 122,
124-125, 128, 153, 164,
Minimum wage 26, 94
Mittelstand/SMEs 78, 80-82, 91
 FACTS A BOUT GE RM A NY 174 | 175

Munich 7, 92-93, 105, 151, 157, Restaurants 161 U

162-164, 169 Rhine 20-21 Unemployment 113, 120- 133
Music colleges 105 Rhineland-Palatinate 7, 13 United Nations (UN) 54
Riesling 161 Universities 98, 100-101, 104,
107-108
N Universities of Applied Sciences
National anthem 17 S 104
National holidays 16 Saarbrücken 7, 151
National parks 62, 76, 167 Saarland 7, 13
Nazism / National Socialism 22, 36 Saxony-Anhalt 7, 13, 158, 167 V
North Rhine-Westphalia 7, 13 Saxony 7, 13, 161, 167 Vocational training 82, 93, 99,
Nuclear power 64, 67, 73 Schiller, Friedrich von 141 112-113
Schleswig-Holstein 13, 20, 168 Volunteering 125, 136
Scholz, Olaf 10-12, 15, 22, 24-27,
O 29, 31, 42, 47, 71, 89
Organization for Security and Co- Schools Abroad 115, 153 W
operation in Europe (OSCE) 43, 51 School system 96, 114-115 Welfare state 116, 121, 132
Schwerin 7 Wellness 167
Single parents 126 Wiesbaden 7
P Skilled workers 27, 78, 83, Wind power 68
Parental allowance 121, 134-135 94-95, 120, 122, 124, 143, 152-153 Wine 160
Parental leave 122-125 Social Democratic Party of Germany World Heritage sites 140,
Parliament 4, 9, 12, 24, 28-29, (SPD) 12-13, 25 166, 168
31, 40, 44 Social market economy Young people 112-113, 115,
Parties 4, 12, 25, 28-30, 35 63, 82, 86 123, 131
Partnerships 42, 58, 68, 72, 126, 131 Solar power 70
Patents 93, 110 Sport 111, 121, 136,
Peace missions 43, 50 154, 156, 164, 166 Z
Pensions 132-133 Sport funding 165 Zugspitze 20
Population 18, 31, 37, 45, 118, 121, Standard of living
126, 130, 157 156-157
Potsdam 7, 166 Steinmeier, Frank-Walter 10, 15, 24,
Press 138, 143, 148, 151 30-31, 33, 111
Primary school 115 Stuttgart 7, 92, 151
Protestant church 130 Sustainability 26-27, 83, 102
Quality of life 138, 154, 158, 163

T
R Television 148-149
Radio 142-143, 151 Theaters 140, 144, 147
Religion 130-131 The Left 12-13, 25
Renewable energy 63, 67 Thuringia 7, 13, 30, 167
Renewable Energy Sources Act Tourism 156, 166-168
(EEG) 67, 73 Trade fairs 166
Research 77, 81, 90, 96, 98-111 Trade unions 112
Research and Development Two-Track Vocational Training
(R&D) 27, 68, 81, 91, 93, 99, 102, 110 96, 99 112-113
 FACTS A BOUT GERM A NY 176

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 GETTING AROUND IN GERMANY
From visas to voltages: useful information and
important contact numbers for travellers in Germany
Visas and ID When entering the
country, foreigners need a valid
passport or replacement docu­
ments. Citizens of most states in
western Europe require only a valid
ID card. In most cases, children re­
quire their own travel documenta­
tion. Travellers from certain coun­
tries require a visa to enter Ger­
many. Travellers should contact
Germany’s embassies and consu­
lates for more information.
→ auswaertiges-amt.de
By plane: All the major internation­
al airlines operate routes to Ger­
many. The global network connects
22 airports in Germany with all re­
gions of the world. The largest air­
ports are in Frankfurt am Main,
Munich, Berlin and Düsseldorf. All
airports have good connections to
onward transport networks.
→ frankfurt-airport.de
→ munich-airport.de
→ berlin-airport.de
→ dus.com
By train: Germany’s rail network
covers the whole country, at around
38,000km in length. The timetables
are arranged to allow easy connec­
tions between local and long-dis­
tance routes. Deutsche Bahn, Ger­
many’s national rail operator, oper­
ates around 250 daily international
services from Germany to over 80
European cities.
Deutsche Bahn phone hotline:
Tel.: +49 30 2970
→ bahn.de
By bus: It is also easy to get around
Germany by long-distance bus,
with several hundred long-distance
bus routes. Urban areas are particu­
larly well served, as all German cit­
ies and many smaller towns can be
reached by long-distance bus
routes. Long-distance bus travel
information:
→ busliniensuche.de
→ fernbusse.de
By car: Germany’s road network is
state-of-the-art. Hundreds of mo­
torway service stations and petrol
stations are open round the clock
on Germany’s 13,000km network
of Autobahns. Motorists can fill up
with the following unleaded fuels:
Super (95 octane), Super Plus (98
octane) and diesel. The network of
charging stations for electric cars is
continuously expanding.
Unless otherwise indicated by
speed limit signs, there is no speed
limit on the Autobahn, although
motorists are advised to drive no
faster than 130km/h. A speed limit
of 50km/h applies in built-up areas
and 100km/h elsewhere. There are
no fees for driving on German
Auto­bahns. Seatbelts must be worn
by law. Children up to 150cm in
height must have a child seat.
Roadside emergency telephones
are available to contact the emer­
gency services or roadside assis­
tance. Germany’s major motoring
clubs are the ADAC and the AvD,
which provide information for
tourists travelling by car.
ADAC roadside assistance contact
number:
Tel.: +49 89 20 20 4000,
→ adac.de
AvD emergency contact number:
Tel.: +49 80 09 90 99 09,
→ avd.de
Where to stay: Accommodation is
available in every class and cat­
egory, from private rooms to holi­
day flats and luxury hotels. Stand­
ards are set and monitored, even in
the cheaper price brackets. Tourism
associations and tourist informa­
tion offices provide specific lists of
accommodation providers.
→ germany.travel
Youth hostel: Over 400 youth hos­
tels in Germany belong to the Ger­
man Youth Hostel Association,
which is affiliated with the Inter­
national Youth Hostel Federation.
International travellers can pur­
chase an international guest pass
which allows them to stay in the
hostels.
German Youth Hostel Association
→ jugendherberge.de
Currency and money: The euro is
legal tender in Germany. 1 euro =
100 cents. You can withdraw cash
at any time from ATMs using an EC
card or international credit or debit
card. All valid credit and debit cards
are accepted. Prices are inclusive.
Emergency contact numbers:
Tel.: 110 for police emergencies
Tel.: 112 for fire and ambulance
services
Time zone: Germany is in the cen­
tral European time zone (CET).
Summer time applies between late
March and late October, with the
clocks moved forward by one hour.
The clocks go forward on the last
Sunday in March and go back on
the last Sunday in October.
Electricity:
The electricity supply runs at 230
volts.
 0 50 100 km

Table of distances in Germany Longer distances in Germany are measured in kilometres.

(km) One kilometre is equivalent to 0.62 miles, and one mile is
equivalent to 1.61km.
Frankfurt/M.

Saarbrücken
Magdeburg
Düsseldorf
Dortmund

Würzburg
Hannover

Karlsruhe

Nürnberg
München
Hamburg

Stuttgart
Dresden

Rostock
Aachen

Leipzig
Berlin

Köln

Aachen • 638 154 651 80 256 482 354 346 73 569 494 631 475 663 263 518 370
Berlin 638 • 492 193 556 545 286 285 673 575 184 153 585 438 223 723 632 495
Dortmund 154 492 • 507 68 224 349 210 358 95 428 350 617 428 520 321 420 338
Dresden 651 193 507 • 581 492 495 382 581 591 140 225 491 325 444 671 525 382
Düsseldorf 80 556 68 581 • 220 392 278 341 42 500 417 611 438 562 277 401 338
Frankfurt/M. 256 545 224 492 220 • 512 361 132 191 405 444 412 228 680 190 201 128
Hamburg 482 286 349 495 392 512 • 152 631 370 391 270 781 612 133 688 658 507
Hannover 354 285 210 382 278 361 152 • 489 294 247 136 661 488 320 551 534 377
Karlsruhe 346 673 358 581 341 132 631 489 • 303 521 558 271 261 809 188 80 199
Köln 73 575 95 591 42 191 370 294 303 • 481 422 577 422 567 282 373 289
Leipzig 569 184 428 140 500 405 391 247 521 481 • 88 418 260 371 588 466 408
Magdeburg 494 153 350 225 417 444 270 136 558 422 88 • 511 349 321 606 559 449
München 631 585 617 491 611 412 781 661 271 577 418 511 • 159 781 421 212 291
Nürnberg 475 438 428 325 438 228 612 488 261 422 260 349 159 • 601 362 218 109
Rostock 663 223 520 444 562 680 133 320 809 567 371 321 781 601 • 851 812 694
Saarbrücken 263 723 321 671 277 190 688 551 188 282 588 606 421 362 851 • 213 314
Stuttgart 518 632 420 525 401 201 658 534 80 373 466 559 212 218 812 213 • 149
Würzburg 370 495 338 382 338 128 507 377 199 289 408 449 291 109 694 314 149 •
No guarantee for accuracy
Whatever you want to know about Germany today, you can find in
“Facts about Germany”. How does the political system work? What
principles shape foreign policy? What makes the German economy
special? Which issues are people talking about? What’s new in art and
culture? And much more.

In an up-to-date, trustworthy and concise format, this handbook

includes facts, figures and illustrations, to give readers a detailed
introduction and insights into all aspects of life in modern Germany.

facts-about-germany.de

978-3-96251-157-9