Germany

World Book Index

Introduction

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. Divided after World War II, Germany reunified in 1990 when the USSR collapsed and the Cold War ended.

Geography

Area
total : 357,022 sq km
land: 348,672 sq km
water: 8,350 sq km

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

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

People and Society

Population
total: 84,119,100 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
German 85.4%, Turkish 1.8%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Syrian 1.1%, Romanian 1%, Poland 1%, other/stateless/unspecified 8.3% (2022 est.)

Languages
German (official); 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

Religions
Roman Catholic 24.8%, Protestant 22.6%, Muslim 3.7%, other 5.1%, none 43.8% (2022 est.)

Population growth rate
-0.12% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
federal parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Berlin

Executive branch
chief of state: President Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (since 19 March 2017)
head of government: Chancellor Friedrich MERZ (since 6 May 2025)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Jens HANEFELD (since 5 September 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Alan MELTZER (since July 2024)

Economy

Economic overview
leading export-driven, core EU and eurozone economy; key automotive, chemical, engineering, finance, and green energy industries; growth stalled by energy crisis and declining exports; tight labor market with falling working-age population; fiscal rebalancing with phaseout of energy price supports

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$5.247 trillion (2024 est.)
$5.26 trillion (2023 est.)
$5.274 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$62,800 (2024 est.)
$62,700 (2023 est.)
$62,900 (2022 est.)

Exports
$1.949 trillion (2024 est.)
$1.958 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.917 trillion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
USA 10%, France 8%, Netherlands 7%, China 7%, Italy 6% (2023)

Exports - commodities
cars, vehicle parts/accessories, packaged medicine, plastic products, vaccines (2023)

Imports
$1.774 trillion (2024 est.)
$1.781 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.808 trillion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
China 12%, Netherlands 7%, USA 7%, Poland 6%, France 5% (2023)

Imports - commodities
cars, vehicle parts/accessories, garments, natural gas, vaccines (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.959, ranking it 5th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 48th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.234. (more information)