Germany

The Federal Republic of Germany is Europe’s largest economy and one of the world’s foremost industrialised and democratic nations. Located in Central Europe, it serves as a political and economic anchor within the European Union (EU) and a core member of global institutions such as the G7, NATO, and the United Nations. With a population exceeding 84 million, Germany is Europe’s second most populous country (after Russia) and a leading advocate of environmental sustainability, technological innovation, and multilateral cooperation.

Historical Background

Germany’s historical trajectory is central to Europe’s development. The Holy Roman Empire (962–1806) laid the foundation for Central European political structures, governing a vast confederation of principalities for nearly a millennium. Its dissolution during the Napoleonic Wars fostered a surge of German nationalism, culminating in unification under Prussian leadership in 1871, when Otto von Bismarck established the German Empire.
Germany’s rise as a major power accelerated industrialisation but also fuelled European rivalries that contributed to World War I (1914–1918). The Treaty of Versailles (1919) imposed severe reparations and territorial losses, creating conditions that enabled Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party to seize power in the 1930s. Nazi expansionism and genocide plunged the world into World War II (1939–1945), resulting in the deaths of tens of millions and the near-total devastation of Germany.
Following the Allied victory, Germany was divided into four occupation zones. In 1949, two states emerged:

• The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG, West Germany), aligned with the Western bloc.
• The German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany), a Soviet-aligned socialist state.

West Germany became a founding member of NATO (1955) and the European Economic Community (1957), laying the groundwork for European integration. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe led to reunification on 3 October 1990—now celebrated as German Unity Day.
Post-unification, Germany invested heavily in modernising its eastern regions, integrating them into a unified economic system. It became a founding member of the eurozone (1999) and has since been a key driver of European policy, particularly in areas of economic governance, environmental reform, and human rights.
Today, Germany stands as a federal parliamentary democracy, globally recognised for its political stability, social welfare system, and leadership in renewable energy and international diplomacy.

Geography and Environment

Location: Central EuropeArea: 357,022 sq km (land 348,672 sq km; water 8,350 sq km)Borders: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, SwitzerlandCoastline: 2,389 km (North and Baltic Seas)
Terrain: Northern lowlands, central uplands, and the Bavarian Alps in the southHighest point: Zugspitze (2,963 m)Lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster (-3.5 m)
Climate: Temperate and maritime, with mild winters and cool summers; influenced by the Gulf Stream.Major rivers: Rhine, Danube, Elbe, Weser, and Oder.
Natural resources: Coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, potash, timber, arable land.Land use (2022):

• Agricultural land: 47.5%
• Forest: 32.7%
• Other: 19.8%

Environmental leadership: Germany is a pioneer in climate policy and circular economy practices, recycling nearly 50% of its municipal waste—one of the world’s highest rates. It is a signatory to the Paris Agreement and numerous international environmental treaties.
Challenges: Industrial emissions, water pollution, soil degradation, and climate adaptation.

People and Society

Population (2024): 84.1 millionUrban population: 77.8%Population growth rate: -0.12%Median age: 46.8 yearsLife expectancy: 81.9 years
Ethnic composition:

• German: 85.4%
• Turkish: 1.8%
• Ukrainian: 1.4%
• Syrian: 1.1%
• Romanian: 1.0%
• Polish: 1.0%
• Other minorities: 8.3%

Languages:

• Official: German
• Recognised minority languages: Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, Romani

Religion (2022):

• Roman Catholic: 24.8%
• Protestant (Evangelical): 22.6%
• Muslim: 3.7%
• Other faiths: 5.1%
• None: 43.8%

Health and welfare:

• Health expenditure: 12.7% of GDP
• Physician density: 4.5 per 1,000 people
• Infant mortality: 3.1 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Maternal mortality: 4 deaths per 100,000 births

Education:

• Expenditure: 4.5% of GDP
• School life expectancy: 17 yearsGermany’s dual education system, combining vocational training with classroom study, is internationally regarded as a model for workforce development.

Government and Politics

Official name: Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland)Government type: Federal parliamentary republicCapital: BerlinAdministrative divisions: 16 federal states (Länder)
Constitution: The Basic Law (Grundgesetz), adopted in 1949, guarantees human rights, rule of law, and federal democracy.
Executive:

• President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier (since 2017) – head of state
• Chancellor: Friedrich Merz (since 2025) – head of government, responsible for policy direction and cabinet formation

Legislature:

• Bundestag (Federal Parliament): 630 members, directly elected for four-year terms
• Bundesrat (Federal Council): 69 members representing the federal states

Judiciary:

• Highest courts: Federal Constitutional Court (Karlsruhe) and Federal Court of Justice
• Legal system: Civil law tradition based on codified statutes

Major political parties:

• Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
• Christian Social Union (CSU)
• Social Democratic Party (SPD)
• Alliance 90/The Greens
• Free Democratic Party (FDP)
• Alternative for Germany (AfD)
• The Left (Die Linke)
• Free Voters (FW)

National symbols:

• Flag: Black, red, and gold horizontal tricolour
• Emblem: Bundesadler (Federal Eagle)
• National Day: Tag der Deutschen Einheit (3 October)
• Anthem: “Das Lied der Deutschen” (third verse)

Economy

Germany possesses one of the world’s most technologically advanced and export-oriented economies. It is a founding member of the EU, WTO, and OECD, and a leader in engineering, renewable energy, and manufacturing innovation.
Key indicators (2024):

• GDP (nominal): $4.66 trillion
• GDP (PPP): $5.25 trillion
• GDP per capita (PPP): $62,800
• Real GDP growth: -0.2%
• Inflation: 2.3%
• Unemployment: 3.5%

Economic structure:

• Agriculture: 0.8%
• Industry: 25.8%
• Services: 63.9%

Major industries: Automotive, mechanical engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, finance, and information technology.
Trade (2024):

• Exports: $1.95 trillion
  • Main goods: Cars, machinery, medicines, plastics, vaccines
  • Main partners: USA, France, Netherlands, China, Italy
• Imports: $1.77 trillion
  • Main goods: Cars, gas, electronics, textiles
  • Main partners: China, Netherlands, USA, Poland, France

Germany maintains a current account surplus of $267 billion, second largest in the world, reflecting its export competitiveness.
Energy transition (Energiewende):

• Electricity access: 100%
• Energy mix (2023): Wind 25.9%, Solar 11.1%, Fossil fuels 49%, Nuclear 1.3%
• Carbon neutrality target: 2045

Germany’s Energiewende policy promotes a rapid shift to renewable energy, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable industrial transformation.

Defence and Security

The Bundeswehr (Federal Armed Forces), established in 1955, is a key component of NATO’s collective defence.

• Active personnel: ~185,000 (2025)
• Defence budget: 2% of GDP
• Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Cyber and Information Space Command
• Overseas deployments: Lithuania, Iraq, Lebanon, Slovakia, and NATO missions

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Germany established a €100 billion Special Defence Fund to modernise its armed forces, strengthen European defence capacity, and ensure strategic autonomy within NATO.

Society, Culture, and Heritage

Germany’s cultural legacy has profoundly influenced philosophy, music, science, and literature. It is the birthplace of Beethoven, Goethe, Kant, and Einstein, and remains a global leader in arts, architecture, and innovation.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 55 (53 cultural, 2 natural), including Cologne Cathedral, Würzburg Residence, and Museum Island (Berlin).
Cultural life: The country hosts hundreds of museums, film festivals, orchestras, and opera houses, reflecting a deep commitment to cultural preservation and creative freedom.
Language and media: German is spoken by over 90% of residents. Germany maintains a robust public broadcasting system (ARD, ZDF, Deutsche Welle) with high standards of media freedom and pluralism.
Social welfare: Germany’s social market economy integrates capitalist efficiency with social protection. Its comprehensive welfare state provides universal healthcare, education, unemployment insurance, and pensions, underpinning one of the world’s highest living standards.