Cosmopolitan, modern and characterized by many lifestyles

Germany has about 82 million inhabitants. It is by far the largest country in the EU in terms of population. Germany is a modern, cosmopolitan country. Its society is shaped by a plurality of life styles and truly different ethno-cultural diversity. Forms of coexistence have become more varied, and the scope individuals enjoy has become greater. Traditional gender roles have been dispensed with. Despite the social changes, the family remains the most important social reference unit and young people have very close bonds with their parents

Inhabitants

Germany has 80,5 million inhabitants (of which almost 42 million are women). Some 6.7 million foreigners live in Germany (8.2 percent of the total population)

Age structure  

19% under 20 years, 28% over 60 years

Life expectancy   

With a life expectancy of 74 years for men and 81 years for women Germany is above the OECD average

Religions

Some 53 million people are committed Christians, an estimated four million are Muslims, 250,000 Buddhists, and 120,000 Jews. The Basic Law guarantees freedom of faith. There is no state church

Star-winning cuisine

Germany boasts the most three-star restaurants after France; Berlin and Hamburg are top gourmet cities

Organic farming

23,000 farms that work according to organic criteria; 67,000 products bearing the organic seal are available in shops

Tourism

Almost 70 million overnight stays by foreign guests in 2013; the most popular cities among international visitors are Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt/Main, and Cologne

Fashion

Germany is the world’s biggest exporter of fashion after Italy; successful designers at home and abroad: Eva Gronbach, Wolfgang Joop, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Michalsky, Bernhard Willhelm; world’s leading trade fairs for sports and streetwear: Ispo in Munich and Bred & Butter in Berlin

Architecture

German architecture companies with international success: Albert Speer & Partner, von Gerkan, Marg und Partner; the trend: sustainable architecture, important representatives: Stefan Behnisch, Christoph Ingenhoven, Werner Sobek