2017 Edition

Background

As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German reunification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.

As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first hal

the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German reunification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.

Area

357,022 sq km 348,672 sq km 8,350 sq km

land

348,672 sq km

total

357,022 sq km

water

8,350 sq km

Area - comparative

three times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Montana

Climate

temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind

Coastline

2,389 km

Elevation

263 m lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.5 m highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.5 m

highest point

Zugspitze 2,963 m

mean elevation

263 m

Environment - current issues

emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power by 2022; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

51 00 N, 9 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea; most major rivers in Germany - the Rhine, Weser, Oder, Elbe - flow northward; the Danube, which originates in the Black Forest, flows eastward

Irrigated land

6,500 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

3,714 km Austria 801 km, Belgium 133 km, Czech Republic 704 km, Denmark 140 km, France 418 km, Luxembourg 128 km, Netherlands 575 km, Poland 467 km, Switzerland 348 km

border countries (9)

Austria 801 km, Belgium 133 km, Czech Republic 704 km, Denmark 140 km, France 418 km, Luxembourg 128 km, Netherlands 575 km, Poland 467 km, Switzerland 348 km

total

3,714 km

Land use

48% arable land 34.1%; permanent crops 0.6%; permanent pasture 13.3% 31.8% 20.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

48%

forest

31.8%

other

20.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

flooding

Natural resources

coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land

Population - distribution

most populous country in Europe; a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations, particularly in the far western part of the industrial state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Terrain

lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south

Age structure

12.82% (male 5,304,341/female 5,028,776) 10.09% (male 4,145,486/female 3,986,302) 40.45% (male 16,467,975/female 16,133,964) 14.58% (male 5,834,179/female 5,913,322) 22.06% (male 7,822,221/female 9,957,451) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

12.82% (male 5,304,341/female 5,028,776)

15-24 years

10.09% (male 4,145,486/female 3,986,302)

25-54 years

40.45% (male 16,467,975/female 16,133,964)

55-64 years

14.58% (male 5,834,179/female 5,913,322)

65 years and over

22.06% (male 7,822,221/female 9,957,451) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

8.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

11.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

52.1 19.9 32.1 3.1 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

32.1

potential support ratio

3.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

52.1

youth dependency ratio

19.9

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Polish, Italian, Romanian, Syrian, and Greek)

Health expenditures

11.3% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

8.2 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

3.4 deaths/1,000 live births 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

3.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

German (official) Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romani are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romani are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

note

Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romani are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romani are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Life expectancy at birth

80.8 years 78.5 years 83.3 years (2017 est.)

female

83.3 years (2017 est.)

male

78.5 years

total population

80.8 years

Major urban areas - population

BERLIN (capital) 3.563 million; Hamburg 1.831 million; Munich 1.438 million; Cologne 1.037 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

47.1 years 46 years 48.2 years (2017 est.)

female

48.2 years (2017 est.)

male

46 years

total

47.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.4 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

German(s) German

adjective

German

noun

German(s)

Net migration rate

1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.3% (2016)

Physicians density

4.13 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

80,594,017 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most populous country in Europe; a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations, particularly in the far western part of the industrial state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Population growth rate

-0.16% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 29%, Protestant 27%, Muslim 4.4%, Orthodox Christian 1.9%, other 1.7%, none or members of unrecorded religious groups 36% (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99.3% of population rural: 99% of population total: 99.2% of population urban: 0.7% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1% of population

total

0.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 17 years 17 years (2015)

female

17 years (2015)

male

17 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.78 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.45 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

7.2% 7.9% 6.5% (2015 est.)

female

6.5% (2015 est.)

male

7.9%

total

7.2%

Urbanization

75.7% of total population (2017) 0.12% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.12% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

75.7% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen (Hesse), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen (Thuringia); note - Bayern, Sachsen, and Thueringen refer to themselves as free states (Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat), while Hamburg prides itself on being a Free and Hanseatic City (Freie und Hansestadt)

Capital

Berlin 52 31 N, 13 24 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

52 31 N, 13 24 E

name

Berlin

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a German citizen or a resident alien who has lived in Germany at least 8 years yes, but requires prior permission from government 8 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a German citizen or a resident alien who has lived in Germany at least 8 years

dual citizenship recognized

yes, but requires prior permission from government

residency requirement for naturalization

8 years

Constitution

previous 1919 (Weimar Constitution); latest drafted 10 to 23 August 1948, approved 12 May 1949, promulgated 23 May 1949, entered into force 24 May 1949 proposed by Parliament; passage and enactment into law require two-thirds majority vote by both the Bundesrat (upper house) and the Bundestag (lower house) of Parliament; articles including those on basic human rights and freedoms cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2012 (2016)

amendments

proposed by Parliament; passage and enactment into law require two-thirds majority vote by both the Bundesrat (upper house) and the Bundestag (lower house) of Parliament; articles including those on basic human rights and freedoms cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2012 (2016)

history

previous 1919 (Weimar Constitution); latest drafted 10 to 23 August 1948, approved 12 May 1949, promulgated 23 May 1949, entered into force 24 May 1949

Country name

Federal Republic of Germany Germany Bundesrepublik Deutschland Deutschland German Empire, German Republic, German Reich the Gauls (Celts) of Western Europe may have referred to the newly arriving Germanic tribes who settled in neighboring areas east of the Rhine during the first centuries B.C. as "Germani," a term the Romans adopted as "Germania"; the native designation "Deutsch" comes from the Old High German "diutisc" meaning "of the people"

conventional long form

Federal Republic of Germany

conventional short form

Germany

etymology

the Gauls (Celts) of Western Europe may have referred to the newly arriving Germanic tribes who settled in neighboring areas east of the Rhine during the first centuries B.C. as "Germani," a term the Romans adopted as "Germania"; the native designation "Deutsch" comes from the Old High German "diutisc" meaning "of the people"

former

German Empire, German Republic, German Reich

local long form

Bundesrepublik Deutschland

local short form

Deutschland

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kent LOGSDON (since 20 January 2017) Pariser Platz 2 Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin [49] (30) 8305-0 [49] (30) 8305-1215 Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kent LOGSDON (since 20 January 2017)

consulate(s) general

Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich

embassy

Pariser Platz 2

FAX

[49] (30) 8305-1215

mailing address

Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin

telephone

[49] (30) 8305-0

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Hans Peter WITTIG (since 21 May 2014) 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 298-4000 [1] (202) 298-4249 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

chancery

4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Hans Peter WITTIG (since 21 May 2014)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 298-4249

telephone

[1] (202) 298-4000

Executive branch

President Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (since 19 March 2017; inaugurated 22 March 2017) Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005) Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) recommended by the chancellor, appointed by the president president indirectly elected for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention consisting of the 630-member Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and 630 delegates indirectly elected by the state parliaments; election last held on 12 February 2017 (next to be held February 2022); chancellor indirectly elected by absolute majority by the Federal Parliament for a 4-year term; Federal Parliament vote for chancellor last held on 17 December 2013 (next to be held following the general election, 24 September 2017) Frank-Walter STEINMEIER elected president; Federal Convention vote count - Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (SPD) 931, Christopher BUTTERWEGGE (The Left) 128, Albrecht GLASER (Alternative for Germany AfD) 42, Alexander HOLD (BVB/FW) 25, Engelbert SONNEBORN (Pirates) 10; Angela MERKEL (CDU) reelected chancellor; Federal Parliament vote - 462 for, 150 against, 49 abstentions

cabinet

Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) recommended by the chancellor, appointed by the president

chief of state

President Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (since 19 March 2017; inaugurated 22 March 2017)

election results

Frank-Walter STEINMEIER elected president; Federal Convention vote count - Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (SPD) 931, Christopher BUTTERWEGGE (The Left) 128, Albrecht GLASER (Alternative for Germany AfD) 42, Alexander HOLD (BVB/FW) 25, Engelbert SONNEBORN (Pirates) 10; Angela MERKEL (CDU) reelected chancellor; Federal Parliament vote - 462 for, 150 against, 49 abstentions

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention consisting of the 630-member Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and 630 delegates indirectly elected by the state parliaments; election last held on 12 February 2017 (next to be held February 2022); chancellor indirectly elected by absolute majority by the Federal Parliament for a 4-year term; Federal Parliament vote for chancellor last held on 17 December 2013 (next to be held following the general election, 24 September 2017)

head of government

Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these colors have played an important role in German history and can be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field

Government type

federal parliamentary republic

Independence

18 January 1871 (establishment of the German Empire); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed on 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed on 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and East Germany unified on 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights on 15 March 1991; notable earlier dates: 10 August 843 (Eastern Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 2 February 962 (crowning of OTTO I, recognized as the first Holy Roman Emperor)

18 January 1871 (establishment of the German Empire); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed on 23 May 1949 and included the former UK,

10 August 843 (Eastern Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 2 February 962 (crowning of OTTO I, recognized as the first Holy Roman Emperor)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Federal Court of Justice (court consists of 127 judges including the court president, vice-presidents, presiding judges, and other judges, and organized into 25 Senates subdivided into 12 civil panels, 5 criminal panels, and 8 special panels; Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (consists of 2 Senates each subdivided into 3 chambers, each with a chairman and 8 members) Federal Court of Justice judges selected by the Judges Election Committee, which consists of the Secretaries of Justice from each of the 16 federated States and 16 members appointed by the Federal Parliament; judges appointed by the president of Germany; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Federal Constitutional Court judges - one-half elected by the House of Representatives and one-half by the Senate; judges appointed for 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 68 Federal Administrative Court; Federal Finance Court; Federal Labor Court; Federal Social Court; each of the 16 German states or Land has its own constitutional court and a hierarchy of ordinary (civil, criminal, family) and specialized (administrative, finance, labor, social) courts

highest court(s)

Federal Court of Justice (court consists of 127 judges including the court president, vice-presidents, presiding judges, and other judges, and organized into 25 Senates subdivided into 12 civil panels, 5 criminal panels, and 8 special panels; Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (consists of 2 Senates each subdivided into 3 chambers, each with a chairman and 8 members)

judge selection and term of office

Federal Court of Justice judges selected by the Judges Election Committee, which consists of the Secretaries of Justice from each of the 16 federated States and 16 members appointed by the Federal Parliament; judges appointed by the president of Germany; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Federal Constitutional Court judges - one-half elected by the House of Representatives and one-half by the Senate; judges appointed for 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 68

subordinate courts

Federal Administrative Court; Federal Finance Court; Federal Labor Court; Federal Social Court; each of the 16 German states or Land has its own constitutional court and a hierarchy of ordinary (civil, criminal, family) and specialized (administrative, finance, labor, social) courts

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 seats; members appointed by each of the 16 state governments) and the Federal Diet or Bundestag (631 seats - total seats can vary each electoral term; approximately one-half of members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and approximately one-half directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) Bundestag - last held on 24 September 2017 (next to be held in 2021); most postwar German governments have been coalitions; note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 32.9%, SPD 20.5%, AfD 12.6%, FDP 10.8%, The Left 9.2%, Alliance '90/Greens 8.9%, other 5%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 246, SPD 153, FDP 80, The Left 69, Alliance '90/Greens 67

description

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 seats; members appointed by each of the 16 state governments) and the Federal Diet or Bundestag (631 seats - total seats can vary each electoral term; approximately one-half of members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and approximately one-half directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 32.9%, SPD 20.5%, AfD 12.6%, FDP 10.8%, The Left 9.2%, Alliance '90/Greens 8.9%, other 5%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 246, SPD 153, FDP 80, The Left 69, Alliance '90/Greens 67

elections

Bundestag - last held on 24 September 2017 (next to be held in 2021); most postwar German governments have been coalitions; note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election

National anthem

"Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans) August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN adopted 1922; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was originally adopted for its connection to the March 1848 liberal revolution; following appropriation by the Nazis of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism, it was banned after 1945; in 1952, its third verse was adopted by West Germany as its national anthem; in 1990, it became the national anthem for the reunited Germany

lyrics/music

August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN

name

"Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)

note

adopted 1922; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was originally adopted for its connection to the March 1848 liberal revolution; following appropriation by the Nazis of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism, it was banned after 1945; in 1952, its third verse was adopted by West Germany as its national anthem; in 1990, it became the national anthem for the reunited Germany

National holiday

Unity Day, 3 October (1990)

National symbol(s)

golden eagle; national colors: black, red, yellow

golden eagle; national colors

black, red, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Alliance '90/Greens [Cem OEZDEMIR and Simone PETER] Alternative for Germany or AfD [Joerg MEUTHEN] Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL] Christian Social Union or CSU [Horst SEEHOFER] Free Democratic Party or FDP [Christian LINDNER] Pirate Party Germany or Pirates [Stefan KORNER] The Left or Die Linke [Katja KIPPING and Bernd RIEXINGER] Social Democratic Party or SPD [Martin SCHULZ] United Civil Movements of Brandenburg/Free Voters [Peter VIDA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

business associations and employers' organizations trade unions; religious, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; age 16 for some state and municipal elections

Agriculture - products

potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; milk products; cattle, pigs, poultry

Budget

$1.562 trillion $1.536 trillion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$1.536 trillion (2016 est.)

revenues

$1.562 trillion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.25% (31 December 2016) 0.3% (31 December 2010) this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

note

this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

1.6% (31 December 2016 est.) 1.84% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$290.4 billion (2016 est.) $288.2 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$5.326 trillion (31 March 2016 est.) $5.21 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

27 (2006) 30 (1994)

Economy - overview

The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment and benefits from a highly skilled labor force. Like its Western European neighbors, Germany faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and a large increase in net immigration are increasing pressure on the country's social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms. Reforms launched by the government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (1998-2005), deemed necessary to address chronically high unemployment and low average growth, contributed to strong growth and falling unemployment. These advances, as well as a government subsidized, reduced working hour scheme, help explain the relatively modest increase in unemployment during the 2008-09 recession - the deepest since World War II. The German Government introduced a minimum wage in 2015 that increased to $9.79 (8.84 euros) in January 2017. Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor Angela MERKEL's second term increased Germany's total budget deficit - including federal, state, and municipal - to 4.1% in 2010, but slower spending and higher tax revenues reduced the deficit to 0.8% in 2011 and in 2016 Germany reached a budget surplus of 0.6%. A constitutional amendment approved in 2009 limits the federal government to structural deficits of no more than 0.35% of GDP per annum as of 2016, though the target was already reached in 2012. The German economy suffers from low levels of investment, and a government plan to invest 15 billion euros during 2016-18, largely in infrastructure, is intended to spur needed private investment. Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Chancellor Angela MERKEL announced in May 2011 that eight of the country's 17 nuclear reactors would be shut down immediately and the remaining plants would close by 2022. Germany plans to replace nuclear power largely with renewable energy, which accounted for 29.5% of gross electricity consumption in 2016, up from 9% in 2000. Before the shutdown of the eight reactors, Germany relied on nuclear power for 23% of its electricity generating capacity and 46% of its base-load electricity production. Domestic consumption, bolstered by low energy prices and a weak euro, and exports are likely to drive German GDP growth again in 2017.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.9214 (2016 est.) 0.885 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.7752 (2012 est.)

Exports

$1.322 trillion (2016 est.) $1.308 trillion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals, computer and electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, metals, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, rubber and plastic products

Exports - partners

US 8.9%, France 8.4%, UK 7.1%, Netherlands 6.5%, China 6.4%, Italy 5.1%, Austria 5%, Poland 4.5%, Switzerland 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

53.7% 19.7% 19.9% -0.8% 45.9% -38.4% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

45.9%

government consumption

19.7%

household consumption

53.7%

imports of goods and services

-38.4% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

19.9%

investment in inventories

-0.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.6% 30.3% 69.1% (2016 est.)

agriculture

0.6%

industry

30.3%

services

69.1%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$48,400 (2016 est.) $48,000 (2015 est.) $47,700 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.9% (2016 est.) 1.5% (2015 est.) 1.9% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.479 trillion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.997 trillion (2016 est.) $3.874 trillion (2015 est.) $3.776 trillion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

27.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 27.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 27% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.6% 24% (2000)

highest 10%

24% (2000)

lowest 10%

3.6%

Imports

$1.022 trillion (2016 est.) $1.018 trillion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, data processing equipment, vehicles, chemicals, oil and gas, metals, electric equipment, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, agricultural products

Imports - partners

Netherlands 13.3%, China 7.3%, France 7.3%, Belgium 6.1%, Italy 5.5%, Poland 5.2%, Czech Republic 4.7%, US 4.6%, Switzerland 4.4%, Austria 4.4%, UK 4.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

1.3% (2016 est.)

Industries

among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, automobiles, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.4% (2016 est.) 0.2% (2015 est.)

Labor force

45.42 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1.4% 24.2% 74.3% (2016)

agriculture

1.4%

industry

24.2%

services

74.3% (2016)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.716 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.739 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $1.936 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

16.7% (2015 est.)

Public debt

68.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 71.2% of GDP (2015 est.) general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government and social security funds; the series are presented as a percentage of GDP and in millions of euro; GDP used as a denominator is the gross domestic product at current market prices; data expressed in national currency are converted into euro using end-of-year exchange rates provided by the European Central Bank

note

general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government and social security funds; the series are presented as a percentage of GDP and in millions of euro; GDP used as a denominator is the gross domestic product at current market prices; data expressed in national currency are converted into euro using end-of-year exchange rates provided by the European Central Bank

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$185.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $173.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.347 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $4.451 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.981 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.955 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.391 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.374 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.433 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $4.452 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.016 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.923 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

note

see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

45.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.2% (2016 est.) 4.6% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

744 million Mt (2015 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1,987 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

1.837 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

46,590 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

145.4 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

514.6 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

78.86 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

42.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

2.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

5.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

49.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

28.34 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

204.1 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

588.5 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

773.2 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

32.51 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

102.5 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

8.73 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

41.99 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2.41 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

474,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

800,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

2.198 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

a mixture of publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; national and regional public broadcasters compete with nearly 400 privately owned national and regional TV stations; more than 90% of households have cable or satellite TV; hundreds of radio stations including multiple national radio networks, regional radio networks, and a large number of local radio stations (2008)

Internet country code

.de

Internet users

72,365,643 89.6% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

89.6% (July 2016 est.)

total

72,365,643

Telephone system

one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countries country code - 49; Germany's international service is excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2015)

domestic

extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countries

general assessment

one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part

international

country code - 49; Germany's international service is excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

44.31 million 55 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

55 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

44.31 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

94,432,800 117 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

117 (July 2016 est.)

total

94,432,800

Airports

539 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

125 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

60

2,438 to 3,047 m

49

914 to 1,523 m

70

over 3,047 m

14

total

318

under 914 m

125 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

185 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

35

total

221

under 914 m

185 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

D (2016)

Heliports

23 (2013)

Merchant marine

barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 6, cargo 51, carrier 1, chemical tanker 15, container 298, liquefied gas 6, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 24, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1 6 (Finland 3, Netherlands 1, Switzerland 2) 3,420 (Antigua and Barbuda 1094, Australia 2, Bahamas 30, Bermuda 14, Brazil 6, Bulgaria 12, Burma 1, Cayman Islands 3, Cook Islands 1, Curacao 25, Cyprus 192, Denmark 9, Dominica 5, Estonia 1, France 1, Gibraltar 123, Hong Kong 10, Isle of Man 56, Jamaica 10, Liberia 1185, Luxembourg 9, Malta 135, Marshall Islands 248, Morocco 1, Netherlands 86, NZ 2, Panama 24, Papua New Guinea 1, Philippines 2, Portugal 14, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 32, Slovakia 3, Spain 4, Sri Lanka 8, Sweden 3, UK 59, US 5, Venezuela 1) (2010)

by type

barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 6, cargo 51, carrier 1, chemical tanker 15, container 298, liquefied gas 6, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 24, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned

6 (Finland 3, Netherlands 1, Switzerland 2)

registered in other countries

3,420 (Antigua and Barbuda 1094, Australia 2, Bahamas 30, Bermuda 14, Brazil 6, Bulgaria 12, Burma 1, Cayman Islands 3, Cook Islands 1, Curacao 25, Cyprus 192, Denmark 9, Dominica 5, Estonia 1, France 1, Gibraltar 123, Hong Kong 10, Isle of Man 56, Jamaica 10, Liberia 1185, Luxembourg 9, Malta 135, Marshall Islands 248, Morocco 1, Netherlands 86, NZ 2, Panama 24, Papua New Guinea 1, Philippines 2, Portugal 14, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 32, Slovakia 3, Spain 4, Sri Lanka 8, Sweden 3, UK 59, US 5, Venezuela 1) (2010)

total

427

National air transport system

1,113 115,540,886 6,985,007,915 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

6,985,007,915 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

115,540,886

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

1,113

number of registered air carriers

20

Pipelines

condensate 37 km; gas 26,985 km; oil 2,826 km; refined products 4,479 km; water 8 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Baltic Sea - Rostock; North Sea - Wilhelmshaven Bremen (Weser); Bremerhaven (Geeste); Duisburg, Karlsruhe, Neuss-Dusseldorf (Rhine); Brunsbuttel, Hamburg (Elbe); Lubeck (Wakenitz) Brunsbuttel Canal terminals Bremen/Bremerhaven (5,547,000), Hamburg (8,821,000) (2015) Hamburg

container port(s)

Bremen/Bremerhaven (5,547,000), Hamburg (8,821,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Hamburg

major seaport(s)

Baltic Sea - Rostock; North Sea - Wilhelmshaven

oil terminal(s)

Brunsbuttel Canal terminals

river port(s)

Bremen (Weser); Bremerhaven (Geeste); Duisburg, Karlsruhe, Neuss-Dusseldorf (Rhine); Brunsbuttel, Hamburg (Elbe); Lubeck (Wakenitz)

Railways

43,468.3 km 43,209.3 km 1.435-m gauge (19,973 km electrified) 220 km 1.000-m gauge (79 km electrified); 15 km 0.900-m gauge; 24 km 0.750-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

220 km 1.000-m gauge (79 km electrified); 15 km 0.900-m gauge; 24 km 0.750-m gauge (2014)

standard gauge

43,209.3 km 1.435-m gauge (19,973 km electrified)

total

43,468.3 km

Roadways

645,000 km 645,000 km (includes 12,800 km of expressways) includes local roads (2010)

note

includes local roads (2010)

paved

645,000 km (includes 12,800 km of expressways)

total

645,000 km

Waterways

7,467 km (Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea) (2012)

Military branches

Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint Support Service (Streitkraeftebasis, SKB), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst, ZSanDstBw), Cyber and Information Space Command (Kommando Cyber- und Informationsraum, Kdo CIR) (2017)

Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr)

Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint Support Service (Streitkraeftebasis, SKB), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst, ZSanDstBw), Cyber and Information Space Command (Kommando Cyber- und Informationsraum, Kdo CIR) (2017)

Military expenditures

1.19% of GDP (2016 est.) 1.19% of GDP (2015) 1.19% of GDP (2014) 1.23% of GDP (2013) 1.31% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

17-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription ended 1 July 2011; service obligation 8-23 months or 12 years; women have been eligible for voluntary service in all military branches and positions since 2001 (2013)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center

Refugees and internally displaced persons

375,122 (Syria); 86,045 (Iraq); 46,292 (Afghanistan); 30,020 (Eritrea); 22,910 (Iran); 19,136 (Turkey); 9,189 (Serbia and Kosovo); 7,879 (Somalia); 5,255 (Russia); 5,169 (Pakistan) (2016); 10,305 (Ukraine) (2017) note: estimate represents asylum applicants since Ukraine crisis began in 2014 until September 2017 12,017 (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

375,122 (Syria); 86,045 (Iraq); 46,292 (Afghanistan); 30,020 (Eritrea); 22,910 (Iran); 19,136 (Turkey); 9,189 (Serbia and Kosovo); 7,879 (Somalia); 5,255 (Russia); 5,169 (Pakistan) (2016); 10,305 (Ukraine) (2017) note: estimate represents asylum applicants since Ukraine crisis began in 2014 until September 2017

stateless persons

12,017 (2016)