Index
In Germany, equal rights are enshrined in the Basic Law, it is legally impermissible to discriminate by gender as regards working conditions and pay, and there are numerous laws guaranteeing the rights of women. Moreover, Germany is firmly committed to equal rights for both genders – relying on a wide- ranging network of state and private institutions in this regard. The state plays an active role in ensuring equal living conditions for men and women. These measures are proving successful: in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index, which measures the gap in gender equality, Germany was placed 6th in 2023, making it one of the best-ranked countries in the world.
The euro is the currency of the European Monetary Union and after the US dollar the second most important member of the international currency system. Together with the national central banks, the European Central Bank (ECB), headquartered in Frankfurt/Main, is responsible for monetary policy with regard to the euro. The euro is the official currency in 20 of the 27 EU member states. The euro was physically introduced in “Euroland”, including Germany, on January 1, 2002, having served as a currency of deposit since the beginning of 1999.
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. Moreover, the cabinet abides by the collegial principle, in disputes the Federal Government decides by majority. The affairs of state are managed by the Chancellor.
As early as the 19th century Germany attracted a large number of immigrants and since the 1950s has emerged as the European country with the largest immigrant population. In 1950, there were about 500,000 foreigners in Germany, accounting for a mere one percent or so of the population. This has changed emphatically: Today, some 11.6 million foreigners live in Germany, or 13 percent of the population.
There are around 48,000 native animal species and over 24,000 native species of land plants, mosses, fungi, lichens and algae in Germany. Nature conservation is a state goal in the Federal Republic and is entrenched in Article 20a of the Basic Law. There are thousands of designated nature conservation areas in Germany, as well as 16 national parks and 16 UNESCO biosphere reserves. In addition, Germany is a signatory state to the most important international nature conservation agreements and party to almost 30 international agreements which strive to conserve the environment. The percentage of organically managed areas is increasing and in 2021 came to 9.6 percent. In the medium term it is projected to rise to 20 percent.
In Germany those with no work can claim support. Anyone who is unemployed and over the past two years has paid contributions to the state unemployment insurance system for at least 12 months is entitled to unemployment benefit (60 to 67 percent of their last net income). This unemployment benefit is financed through the contributions of which employers and employees each pay half. The longest period for which unemployment benefit can be drawn is between six and 24 months. After that period those looking for work can apply for basic support (known as “unemployment benefit II”), which is assessed according to the applicant’s needs. In the economic crisis the system of short-time work payment financed from tax revenue proved its worth. It enabled companies to avoid redundancies in a difficult economic situation.
The principle of the welfare state is enshrined in Article 20 of the Basic Law and cannot be rescinded, even if the Basic Law is changed. In this way the Basic Law commits the state to protect, in addition to their freedom, the natural bases of life of its citizens. Each individual, however, also has to assume responsibility for his own social welfare.