Land of Diversity

Covering around 358,000km², Germany is the fourth-largest country in the European Union European Union In 1957, Germany was one of the six founding members of today’s EU, along with France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The EU is currently made up of 27 states; the euro is the official currency in 20 of them. For Germany, European integration forms the basis for peace, security and… Read more › , 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 has one of the highest standards of living in the world. According to the 2021 United Nations United Nations The United Nations (UN) has a key role to play in the international system. Germany has been a UN member since 1973. Since joining, Germany has taken on more and more responsibility and is now one of the largest donors and supporters of the United Nations. For example, Germany is the second largest… Read more › Human Development Index, Germany ranked 9th out of 191 countries. 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 populated areas. Around 30% of the population live in major cities with over 100,000 inhabitants. There are 80 such cities in Germany. The cities also attract many tourists. Berlin Berlin Once a year, during the Berlinale film festival, the world of the silver screen focuses its attention on Berlin. And the city’s inhabitants are used to global interest. After all, the people of Berlin have lived in a capital city since 1458. However, there is also a shady side to the city’s history… Read more › 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. 

The Federal Government Federal Government The Federal Government and cabinet is made up of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. While the Chancellor holds the power to issue directives, the ministers have departmental powers, meaning that they independently run their respective ministries in the framework of those directives… Read more › is committed to delivering good living conditions for people of all nationalities across the whole country, from cities to the countryside. The gap has narrowed between East and West Germany since reunification in 1990, and living conditions are becoming more and more similar. A new “Future Centre for European Transformation and German Unity” has been set up to continue the process of social cohesion, and to demonstrate the close connection between German unity and democracy in Europe. 

Germany’s demographic transition is particularly apparent in rural areas and regions with a lack of well-paid jobs, where rates of urban migration are above average. The Federal Government is providing targeted support for affected areas in the form of packages of measures aimed at increasing employment, mobility and infrastructure. 

Digitalisation, the energy transition and new forms of mobility are causing far-reaching changes to how people live. They are also creating new opportunities, such as making it easier for people to balance their families and careers. Germany is therefore investing in modern standards such as transport that is comprehensive, networked, affordable, climate-friendly and suitable for daily use. It is also funding high-speed mobile and broadband, expanding renewable 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 Germany’s economic output is generated in rural areas. Nevertheless, cities are attracting many people thanks to many job opportunities and the variety of cultural and leis­ure 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”.

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 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 supported 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. Nevertheless, there remains a demand for gourmet cuisine, with 334 restaurants in Germany holding one or more Michelin stars in the 2023 Michelin Guide – more than ever.