2012 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 unification 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. In January 2011, Germany assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.

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 unification 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. In January 2011, Germany assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.

Area

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

total

357,022 sq km

water

8,350 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Montana

Climate

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

Coastline

2,389 km

Elevation extremes

Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m Zugspitze 2,963 m

highest point

Zugspitze 2,963 m

lowest point

Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 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 over the next 15 years; 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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

38.01 cu km/yr (12%/68%/20%) 460 cu m/yr (2001)

per capita

460 cu m/yr (2001)

total

38.01 cu km/yr (12%/68%/20%)

Geographic coordinates

51 00 N, 9 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea

Irrigated land

4,850 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

3,790 km Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 815 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km

border countries

Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 815 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km

total

3,790 km

Land use

33.13% 0.6% 66.27% (2005)

arable land

33.13%

other

66.27% (2005)

permanent crops

0.6%

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

188 cu km (2005)

Age structure

13.2% (male 5,499,555/ female 5,216,066) 66.1% (male 27,173,860/ female 26,587,068) 20.7% (male 7,273,915/ female 9,555,392) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

13.2% (male 5,499,555/ female 5,216,066)

15-64 years

66.1% (male 27,173,860/ female 26,587,068)

65 years and over

20.7% (male 7,273,915/ female 9,555,392) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

8.33 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.1% (2005)

Death rate

11.04 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish)

Health expenditures

8.1% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

67,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

8.17 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

3.51 deaths/1,000 live births 3.81 deaths/1,000 live births 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

3.51 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

German

Life expectancy at birth

80.19 years 77.93 years 82.58 years (2012 est.)

female

82.58 years (2012 est.)

total population

80.19 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Major cities - population

BERLIN (capital) 3.438 million; Hamburg 1.786 million; Munich 1.349 million; Cologne 1.001 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

45.3 years 44.2 years 46.3 years (2012 est.)

female

46.3 years (2012 est.)

male

44.2 years

total

45.3 years

Nationality

German(s) German

adjective

German

noun

German(s)

Net migration rate

0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

12.9% (2003)

Physicians density

3.531 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

81,305,856 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.2% (2012 est.)

Religions

Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 16 years 16 years (2006)

female

16 years (2006)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.76 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.41 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

11% 12% 9.8% (2009)

female

9.8% (2009)

total

11%

Urbanization

74% of total population (2010) 0% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

74% of total population (2010)

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)

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)

Constitution

23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united Germany 3 October 1990

Country name

Federal Republic of Germany Germany Bundesrepublik Deutschland Deutschland German Empire, German Republic, German Reich

conventional long form

Federal Republic of Germany

conventional short form

Germany

former

German Empire, German Republic, German Reich

local long form

Bundesrepublik Deutschland

local short form

Deutschland

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Philip D. MURPHY Pariser Platz 2, 14191 Berlin PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265, Clayallee 170, 14195 Berlin [49] (030) 2385174 [49] (030) 8305-1215 Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich

chief of mission

Ambassador Philip D. MURPHY

consulate(s) general

Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich

embassy

Pariser Platz 2, 14191 Berlin

FAX

[49] (030) 8305-1215

mailing address

PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265, Clayallee 170, 14195 Berlin

telephone

[49] (030) 2385174

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Peter AMMON 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 Peter AMMON

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 Joachim GAUCK (since 23 March 2012) Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005) Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held on 19 February 2012 (next to be held by June 2017); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Parliament for a four-year term; Federal Parliament vote for Chancellor last held after 27 September 2009 (next to be held 2013) Joachim GAUCK elected president; received 991 votes of the Federal Convention against 126 for Beate KLARSFELD and 3 for Olaf ROSE; Angela MERKEL reelected chancellor; vote by Federal Parliament 323 to 285 with four abstentions

cabinet

Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor

chief of state

President Joachim GAUCK (since 23 March 2012)

election results

Joachim GAUCK elected president; received 991 votes of the Federal Convention against 126 for Beate KLARSFELD and 3 for Olaf ROSE; Angela MERKEL reelected chancellor; vote by Federal Parliament 323 to 285 with four abstentions

elections

president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held on 19 February 2012 (next to be held by June 2017); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Parliament for a four-year term; Federal Parliament vote for Chancellor last held after 27 September 2009 (next to be held 2013)

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 republic

Independence

18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); 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 (German Empire unification); 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 F

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-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat); Federal Court of Justice; Federal Administrative Court

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments sit in the Council; each has three to six votes in proportion to population and is required to vote as a block) and the Federal Parliament or Bundestag (622 seats; members elected by popular vote for a four-year term under a system of personalized proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain proportional representation and caucus recognition) Bundestag - last held on 27 September 2009 (next to be held no later than autumn 2013); 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 33.8%, SPD 23%, FDP 14.6%, Left 11.9%, Greens 10.7%, other 6%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 239, SPD 146, FDP 93, Left 76, Greens 68

election results

Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 33.8%, SPD 23%, FDP 14.6%, Left 11.9%, Greens 10.7%, other 6%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 239, SPD 146, FDP 93, Left 76, Greens 68

elections

Bundestag - last held on 27 September 2009 (next to be held no later than autumn 2013); 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

"Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans) August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN adopted 1922, restored 1990; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was abolished in 1945 because of the Nazi's use of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism; since restoration in 1990, only the third verse is sung

lyrics/music

August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN

name

"Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)

National holiday

Unity Day, 3 October (1990)

National symbol(s)

black eagle

Political parties and leaders

Alliance '90/Greens [Claudia ROTH and Cem OEZDEMIR]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or CSU [Horst SEEHOFER]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Philipp ROESLER]; Left Party or Die Linke [Katia KIPPING and Bernd RIEXINGER]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Sigmar GABRIEL]

Political pressure groups and leaders

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$1.511 trillion $1.511 trillion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$1.511 trillion (2012 est.)

revenues

$1.511 trillion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.5% (31 December 2012) 1.75% (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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.1% (31 December 2012 est.) 3.94% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$208.1 billion (2012 est.) $204.3 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$5.624 trillion (30 June 2011) $4.713 trillion (30 June 2010)

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 declining 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 in 2006 and 2007 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 - and its decrease to 6.5% in 2012. GDP contracted 5.1% in 2009 but grew by 3.7% in 2010, and 3.0% in 2011, before dipping to 0.9% in 2012 - a reflection of the worsening euro-zone financial crisis and the financial burden it places on Germany as well as falling demand for German exports. Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor Angela MERKEL's second term increased Germany's budget deficit to 3.3% in 2010, but slower spending and higher tax revenues reduce the deficit to 1.7% in 2011, and the government estimates it had a balanced budget in 2012. 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. 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 hopes to replace nuclear power with renewable energy. 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.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7838 (2012 est.) 0.7185 (2011 est.) 755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports

$1.492 trillion (2012 est.) $1.547 trillion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

0.8% 28.1% 71.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

0.8%

industry

28.1%

services

71.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$39,100 (2012 est.) $38,700 (2011 est.) $37,500 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.9% (2012 est.) 3% (2011 est.) 3.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.367 trillion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.194 trillion (2012 est.) $3.101 trillion (2011 est.) $2.991 trillion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.6% 24% (2000)

highest 10%

24% (2000)

lowest 10%

3.6%

Imports

$1.276 trillion (2012 est.) $1.333 trillion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Industrial production growth rate

8% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2012 est.) 2.5% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

17.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

44.01 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1.6% 24.6% 73.8% (2011)

agriculture

1.6%

industry

24.6%

services

73.8% (2011)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.184 trillion (31 December 2011) $1.43 trillion (31 December 2010) $1.298 trillion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

15.5% (2010 est.)

Public debt

80.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 80.6% of GDP (2011 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-year exchange rates provided by the European Central Bank

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-year exchange rates provided by the European Central Bank

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$238.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $216.5 billion (2010 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.281 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.197 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.464 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.405 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$932.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $899.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.253 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.188 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.853 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.777 trillion (31 December 2011 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 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

44.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.5% (2012 est.) 7.1% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

793.7 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

2,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

1.961 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

165,300 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

276 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

549.1 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

57.92 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

55% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

23% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

13% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

42.96 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

153.2 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

558 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

78.99 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - exports

19.74 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

87.57 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

11.9 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

175.6 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2.4 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

467,900 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

696,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

2.348 million bbl/day (2009 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 hosts

20.043 million (2012)

Internet users

65.125 million (2009)

Telephone system

Germany has 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 Germany is served by an 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

domestic

Germany is served by an 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

Germany has 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

Telephones - main lines in use

51.8 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

108.7 million (2011)

Airports

541 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

130 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

60

2,438 to 3,047 m

48

914 to 1,523 m

70

over 3,047 m

14

total

322

under 914 m

130 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

185 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

32

total

219

under 914 m

185 (2012)

Heliports

22 (2012)

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)

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

Pipelines

gas 24,688 km; oil 3,687 km; refined products 4,875 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bremen, Bremerhaven, Duisburg, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Lubeck, Neuss-Dusseldorf, Rostock, Wilhemshaven Brunsbuttel Canal terminals

oil terminals

Brunsbuttel Canal terminals

Railways

41,981 km 41,722 km 1.435-m gauge (20,053 km electrified) 220 km 1.000-m gauge (75 km electrified); 39 km 0.750-m gauge (24 km electrified) (2008)

narrow gauge

220 km 1.000-m gauge (75 km electrified); 39 km 0.750-m gauge (24 km electrified) (2008)

total

41,981 km

Roadways

644,480 km 644,480 km (includes 12,800 km of expressways) includes local roads (2008)

total

644,480 km

Waterways

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

Manpower available for military service

18,529,299 17,888,543 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

17,888,543 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

18,529,299

Manpower fit for military service

15,027,886 14,510,527 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

14,510,527 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

15,027,886

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

405,438 384,930 (2010 est.)

female

384,930 (2010 est.)

male

405,438

Military branches

Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint Support Services (Streitkraeftbasis), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst) (2010)

Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr)

Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint Support Services (Streitkraeftbasis), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst) (2010)

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

17-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription ended 1 July 2011; 1-2 year service obligation; women have been eligible for voluntary service in all military branches and positions since 2001 (2004)

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