Germany

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Germany|Science and technology in Germany|List of German inventions and discoveries}}
[[File:Frankfurter Altstadt mit Skyline 2019 (100MP).jpg|thumb|[[Frankfurt]], a leading business centre in Europe and the seat of the [[European Central Bank]]<ref name="frankfurt">{{cite report|series=SPERI Global Political Economy Brief|url=http://speri.dept.shef.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SPERI-Brief-10-Frankfurt.pdf|title=Frankfurt as a financial centre after Brexit|last1=Lavery|first1=Scott|last2=Schmid|first2=Davide|year=2018|publisher=University of Sheffield|accessdate=30 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152658/http://speri.dept.shef.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SPERI-Brief-10-Frankfurt.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

Germany has a [[social market economy]] with a highly skilled [[labour force]], a low level of [[Corruption in Germany|corruption]], and a high level of [[innovation]].<ref name="CIA" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/cpi2019|publisher=Transparency International|title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2019|date=24 January 2020 |accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327160133/https://www.transparency.org/cpi2019|archivedate=27 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2018.pdf|page=11|title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2018|last=Schwab|first=Klaus|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224135655/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2018.pdf|archivedate=24 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the world's [[List of countries by exports|third-largest exporter]] and [[List of countries by imports|third-largest importer]],<ref name="CIA" /> and has the [[List of sovereign states in Europe by GDP (nominal)|largest economy in Europe]], the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|third-largest economy by nominal GDP]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Deutschland ist wieder Nummer drei der größten Volkswirtschaften|url=https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/deutschland-ist-wieder-nummer-drei-der-groessten-volkswirtschaften-der-welt-a-4983d80b-6eef-4226-b620-097934febf6c|date=15 February 2024|work=Der Spiegel|language=de|archive-date=17 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217022701/https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/deutschland-ist-wieder-nummer-drei-der-groessten-volkswirtschaften-der-welt-a-4983d80b-6eef-4226-b620-097934febf6c|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|fifth-largest by PPP]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ny.gdp.mktp.pp.cd?most_recent_value_desc=true|publisher=World Bank|title=GDP, PPP (current international $)|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330030525/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ny.gdp.mktp.pp.cd%3Fmost_recent_value_desc%3Dtrue|archivedate=30 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Its GDP per capita measured in purchasing power standards amounts to 121% of the EU27 average.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tec00114&plugin=1 |title=GDP per capita in PPS |publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu/eurostat |accessdate=18 June 2020 |archivedate=20 January 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120063953/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tec00114&plugin=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Service sector in Germany|service sector]] contributes approximately 69% of the total GDP, industry 31%, with Germany having the [[List of countries by manufacturing output|largest manufacturing sector in Europe]], and [[Agriculture in Germany|agriculture]] 1% {{as of|2017|lc=y}}.<ref name="CIA" /> The unemployment rate published by [[Eurostat]] amounts to 3.2% {{as of|2020|01|lc=y}}, which is the [[List of European Union member states by unemployment rate|fourth-lowest in the EU]].<ref name="Eurostat">{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics|website=Eurostat|title=Unemployment statistics|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406062752/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics|archivedate=6 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Germany is part of the [[European single market]] which represents more than 450 million consumers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market_en|title=The European single market|date=5 July 2016|publisher=European Commission|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409110216/https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market_en|archivedate=9 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the country accounted for 28% of the [[eurozone]] economy according to the [[International Monetary Fund]].<ref name="imf.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2017/07/05/na070717-germany-spend-more-at-home|title=Germany: Spend More At Home|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108101740/https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2017/07/05/na070717-germany-spend-more-at-home|archivedate=8 January 2018}}</ref> Germany introduced the common European currency, the [[euro]], in 2002.<ref name="euroc">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/01/world/germans-say-goodbye-to-the-mark-a-symbol-of-strength-and-unity.html |title=Germans Say Goodbye to the Mark, a Symbol of Strength and Unity |last=Andrews |first=Edmund L. |date=1 January 2002 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501031330/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/01/world/germans-say-goodbye-to-the-mark-a-symbol-of-strength-and-unity.html |archivedate=1 May 2011}}</ref> Its monetary policy is set by the [[European Central Bank]], which is headquartered in [[Frankfurt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-625914|publisher=Bundesbank|title=Monetary policy|accessdate=30 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152755/https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-625914|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="frankfurt" />

The [[automotive industry in Germany]] is regarded as one of the most competitive and innovative in the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.electrive.com/2019/12/10/cam-study-reveals-german-manufacturers-as-innovative/|publisher=Electrive|title=CAM study reveals: German carmakers are most innovative|date=10 December 2019|last=Randall|first=Chris|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510175816/https://www.electrive.com/2019/12/10/cam-study-reveals-german-manufacturers-as-innovative/|archivedate=10 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and is the [[List of countries by motor vehicle production|sixth-largest by production]] as of 2021. Germany is home to [[Volkswagen Group]], the world's [[List of manufacturers by motor vehicle production|second-largest automotive manufacturer]] in 2022 by vehicle production,<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 December 2022 |title=Hyundai, Now the No. 3 Carmaker, Takes Aim at Toyota and Volkswagen |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-20/now-the-world-s-third-biggest-carmaker-hyundai-takes-aim-at-toyota-volkswagen |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207223928/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-20/now-the-world-s-third-biggest-carmaker-hyundai-takes-aim-at-toyota-volkswagen |url-status=live }}</ref> and is the third-largest exporter of cars as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harley |first=Michael |title=China Overtakes Japan As The World's Biggest Exporter Of Passenger Cars |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelharley/2023/05/22/china-overtakes-japan-as-the-worlds-biggest-exporter-of-passenger-cars/ |date=22 May 2023 |website=Forbes|archive-date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606065741/https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelharley/2023/05/22/china-overtakes-japan-as-the-worlds-biggest-exporter-of-passenger-cars/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The top ten exports of Germany are vehicles, machinery, chemical goods, electronic products, electrical equipments, pharmaceuticals, transport equipments, basic metals, food products, and rubber and plastics.<ref name="Destatis">{{Cite web |url=http://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/NationalEconomyEnvironment/ForeignTrade/_Graphic/TradingGoods.png?__blob=poster |title=Foreign trade |website=Statistiches Bundesamt |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502033130/https://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/NationalEconomyEnvironment/ForeignTrade/_Graphic/TradingGoods.png?__blob=poster |archivedate=2 May 2015 |accessdate=23 April 2015 }}</ref>

Of the world's 500 largest stock-market-listed companies measured by revenue in 2023, the [[Fortune Global 500]], 32 are headquartered in Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/global500/2019/search/?hqcountry=Germany|website=Fortune|title=Global 500|accessdate=30 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152854/https://fortune.com/global500/2019/search/?hqcountry=Germany|url-status=live}}</ref> 30 major Germany-based companies are included in the [[DAX]], the German stock market index which is operated by [[Frankfurt Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/DAX:IND|publisher=Bloomberg|title=DAX|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521105452/https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/DAX:IND|archivedate=21 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Well-known international brands include [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[BMW]], [[Volkswagen]], [[Audi]], [[Porsche]], [[Opel]], [[Siemens]], [[Allianz]], [[Adidas]], [[Puma (brand)|Puma]], [[Hugo Boss]], [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]] and [[Deutsche Telekom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/235173/brand-value-of-the-leading-10-most-valuable-german-brands/|website=Statista|title=Brand value of the leading 10 most valuable German brands in 2019|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210192215/https://www.statista.com/statistics/235173/brand-value-of-the-leading-10-most-valuable-german-brands/|archivedate=10 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Berlin]] is a [[Startup ecosystem|hub]] for [[Startup company|startup companies]] and has become the leading location for venture capital funded firms in the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.euractiv.com/sections/innovation-industry/berlin-outranks-london-start-investment-317140 |title=Berlin outranks London in start-up investment |last=Frost |first=Simon |website=euractiv.com |date=28 August 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106224621/http://www.euractiv.com/sections/innovation-industry/berlin-outranks-london-start-investment-317140 |archivedate=6 November 2015 |accessdate=28 October 2015}}</ref> Germany is recognised for its large portion of specialised [[small and medium enterprises]], known as the {{lang|de|[[Mittelstand]]}} model.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/small-business/driving-growth/secrets-growth-power-of-germany-mittelstand/|website=The Telegraph|title=Secrets of growth: the power of Germany's Mittelstand|last=Dakers|first=Marion|date=11 May 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306134928/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/small-business/driving-growth/secrets-growth-power-of-germany-mittelstand/|archivedate=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> These companies represent 48% of the global market leaders in their segments, labelled [[hidden champions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40796571|work=BBC News|title=Germany's 'hidden champions' of the Mittelstand|last=Bayley|first=Caroline|date=17 August 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522010803/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40796571|archivedate=22 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Research and development]] efforts form an integral part of the German economy,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bmbf.de/pub/Federal_Report_on_Research_and_Innovation_2014.pdf |title=Federal Report on Research and Innovation 2014 |date=2014 |publisher=Federal Ministry of Education and Research |archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160514110947/http://www.bmbf.de/pub/Federal_Report_on_Research_and_Innovation_2014.pdf |archivedate=14 May 2016 |accessdate=26 March 2015}}</ref> with the country [[List of sovereign states by research and development spending|ranking fourth]] in research and development expenditure since 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gross domestic spending on R&D |url=http://data.oecd.org/rd/gross-domestic-spending-on-r-d.htm |accessdate=17 December 2023 |publisher=[[OECD]] |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215212810/https://data.oecd.org/rd/gross-domestic-spending-on-r-d.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Germany [[List of countries by number of scientific and technical journal articles|ranked fourth]] globally in terms of number of science and engineering research papers published.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/top-ten-countries-leading-scientific-publications-in-the-world/|last=McCarthy|first=Niall|title=The countries leading the world in scientific research|publisher=World Economic Forum|date=13 January 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312073822/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/top-ten-countries-leading-scientific-publications-in-the-world|archivedate=12 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Research institutions in Germany include the [[Max Planck Society]], the [[Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres|Helmholtz Association]], and the [[Fraunhofer Society]] and the [[Leibniz Association]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Nature|title=An introduction to the complexities of the German research scene|date=27 March 2019|first=Hristio|last=Boytchev|volume=567|issue=7749|pages=S34–S35|doi=10.1038/d41586-019-00910-7|pmid=30918381|bibcode=2019Natur.567S..34B|doi-access=free}}</ref> Germany is the largest contributor to the [[European Space Agency]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dlr.de/content/en/articles/news/2019/04/20191128_esa-ministerial-2019.html|publisher=German Aerospace Centre|date=28 November 2019|title=Germany invests 3.3 billion euro in European space exploration and becomes ESA's largest contributor|accessdate=17 May 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152742/https://www.dlr.de/content/en/articles/news/2019/04/20191128_esa-ministerial-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Germany was ranked 8th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Global Innovation Index 2023 |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |accessdate=17 October 2023 |publisher=WIPO |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |last3=Wunsch-Vincent |first3=Sacha |last4=León |first4=Lorena Rivera |last5=World Intellectual Property Organization |date=6 January 2024 |isbn=978-92-805-3432-0 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022042128/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Infrastructure ===
{{Main|Transport in Germany|Energy in Germany|Telecommunications in Germany|Water supply and sanitation in Germany}}
{{multiple image
|direction=vertical
|image1=ICE 3 Oberhaider-Wald-Tunnel.jpg
|caption1=An [[ICE 3]] train on the [[Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line]], with operating speed up to {{convert|300|km/h|abbr=on}}
|image2=Lisberg Burg Windräder Solar power PC313027.jpg
|caption2=Windmills behind [[Lisberg]] Castle
}}
With its central position in Europe, Germany is a transport hub for the continent.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/statistics/investment/Country-responses/Germany.pdf |title=Assessment of strategic plans and policy measures on Investment and Maintenance in Transport Infrastructure |year=2012 |publisher=[[International Transport Forum]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101013052/http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/statistics/investment/Country-responses/Germany.pdf |archivedate=1 January 2015 |accessdate=15 March 2014}}</ref> Its road network is among the densest in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Archive:Transport_infrastructure_at_regional_level|website=Eurostat|title=Transport infrastructure at regional level|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915230224/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Archive:Transport_infrastructure_at_regional_level|archivedate=15 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The motorway ([[Autobahn]]) is widely known for having no general federally mandated [[Speed limits in Germany|speed limit]] for some classes of vehicles.<ref name="wa 16-09-2013">{{cite news |last=Jeremic |first=Sam |title=Fun, fun, fun on the autobahn |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/motors/a/-/motors/18958067/fun-fun-fun-on-the-autobahn/ |date=16 September 2013 |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012020747/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/motors/a/-/motors/18958067/fun-fun-fun-on-the-autobahn/ |archivedate=12 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Intercity Express]] or ''ICE'' train network serves major German cities as well as destinations in neighbouring countries with speeds up to {{convert|300|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurail.com/en/get-inspired/trains-europe/high-speed-trains/ice|title=ICE High-Speed Trains|publisher=Eurail|accessdate=3 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011052444/http://eurail.com/en/get-inspired/trains-europe/high-speed-trains/ice|archivedate=11 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The largest German airports are [[Frankfurt Airport]], [[Munich Airport]] and [[Berlin Brandenburg Airport]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adv.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/12.2022-ADV-Monatsstatistik.pdf |title=ADV Monthly Traffic Report 12/2022 |publisher=Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Verkehrsflughäfen e.V. |date=13 February 2023 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216140438/https://www.adv.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/12.2022-ADV-Monatsstatistik.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Port of Hamburg]] is one of the twenty [[List of world's busiest container ports|largest container ports in the world]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/statistics/top-20-container-ports|publisher=Port of Hamburg|title=Top World Container Ports|accessdate=3 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010080235/https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/statistics/top-20-container-ports|archivedate=10 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{As of|2019|alt=In 2019}}, Germany was the world's seventh-largest consumer of energy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Germany |url=https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/DEU |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605135256/https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/DEU |archivedate=5 June 2023 |accessdate=30 August 2023 |publisher=US Energy Information Administration}}</ref> All [[nuclear power plant]]s were phased out in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Paddison |last2=Schmidt |last3=Kappeler |first1=Laura |first2=Nadine |first3=Inke |date=15 April 2023 |title='A new era': Germany quits nuclear power, closing its final three plants |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/15/europe/germany-nuclear-phase-out-climate-intl/index.html |publisher=CNN |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422050759/https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/15/europe/germany-nuclear-phase-out-climate-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It meets the country's power demands using 40% [[renewable energy|renewable sources]], and it has been called an "early leader" in [[Solar panel|solar]] and [[Offshore wind power|offshore wind]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-supplied-40-percent-net-public-power-germany-2018|website=Clean Energy Wire|last=Wettengel|first=Julian|title=Renewables supplied 40 percent of net public power in Germany in 2018|date=2 January 2019|accessdate=10 April 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152813/https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-supplied-40-percent-net-public-power-germany-2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="International Energy Agency-2021">{{Cite web |publisher=International Energy Agency |date=16 December 2021 |title=Germany |url=https://www.iea.org/countries/germany |accessdate=24 May 2022 |archive-date=24 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524012051/https://www.iea.org/countries/germany |url-status=live }}</ref> Germany is committed to the [[Paris Agreement]] and several other treaties promoting biodiversity, low emission standards, and [[water management]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbd.int/financial/2017docs/germany-commitment2016.pdf|title=Committed to Biodiversity|publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development|year=2017|accessdate=10 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212170157/https://www.cbd.int/financial/2017docs/germany-commitment2016.pdf|archivedate=12 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/world/europe/germany-climate-law.html |last=Eddy |first=Melissa |date=15 November 2019 |title=Germany Passes Climate-Protection Law to Ensure 2030 Goals |work=The New York Times |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313200755/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/world/europe/germany-climate-law.html |archivedate=13 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://humanright2water.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WL-Country-Mapping-Germany.pdf|title=Legal Country Mapping: Germany|publisher=WaterLex|date=6 July 2018|accessdate=27 March 2021|archivedate=28 September 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928114238/http://humanright2water.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WL-Country-Mapping-Germany.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The country's household recycling rate is among the [[Recycling rates by country|highest in the world]]—at around 65%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.climateaction.org/news/germany-is-the-worlds-leading-nation-for-recycling|publisher=Climate Action|title=Germany is the world's leading nation for recycling|date=11 December 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911230531/http://www.climateaction.org/news/germany-is-the-worlds-leading-nation-for-recycling|archivedate=11 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The country's [[List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions per person|greenhouse gas emissions per capita]] were the ninth-highest in the EU {{as of|2018|alt=in 2018}}, but these numbers have been trending downward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/986392/co2-emissions-per-cap-by-country-eu/|website=Statista|title=Greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the European Union (EU-28) in 2018, by country|accessdate=24 March 2021|archivedate=4 March 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304134727/https://www.statista.com/statistics/986392/co2-emissions-per-cap-by-country-eu/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=International Energy Agency |date=10 November 2021 |title=Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Energy Data Explorer |url=https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-energy-data-explorer |accessdate=8 November 2022 |archive-date=12 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812215445/https://www.iea.org/geco/emissions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Energy transition in Germany|German energy transition]] ({{lang|de|Energiewende}}) is the recognised move to a sustainable economy by means of energy efficiency and renewable energy.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.dlr.de/dlr/Portaldata/1/Resources/bilder/portal/portal_2012_1/leitstudie2011_bf.pdf |title=Langfristszenarien und Strategien für den Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien in Deutschland bei Berücksichtigung der Entwicklung in Europa und global |last=Federal Ministry for the Environment |date=29 March 2012 |publisher=Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) |trans-title=Long-term Scenarios and Strategies for the Development of Renewable Energy in Germany Considering Development in Europe and Globally |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921145218/http://www.dlr.de/dlr/Portaldata/1/Resources/bilder/portal/portal_2012_1/leitstudie2011_bf.pdf |archivedate=21 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="International Energy Agency-2021" /> Germany has reduced its [[primary energy consumption]] by 11% between 1990 and 2015<ref>{{cite web |title=China and Germany – Working for an Energy Efficient Future |url=https://www.energypartnership.cn/newsroom/energy-efficiency/ |website=Energiepartnershcaft |accessdate=21 January 2024 |archive-date=4 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204135141/https://www.energypartnership.cn/newsroom/energy-efficiency/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and set itself goals of reducing it by 30% by 2030 and by 50% by 2050.<ref>{{cite book |title=Germany's Energy Efficiency Strategy 2050 |date=March 2020 |publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy |url=https://www.energypartnership.cn/fileadmin/user_upload/china/media_elements/Documents/200407_BMWi_Dossier_Energy_Efficiency_Strategy_2050.pdf |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130115350/https://www.energypartnership.cn/fileadmin/user_upload/china/media_elements/Documents/200407_BMWi_Dossier_Energy_Efficiency_Strategy_2050.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
{{Main|Tourism in Germany}}
[[File:Castle Neuschwanstein.jpg|thumb|[[Neuschwanstein Castle]] in [[Bavaria]]]]
Domestic and international travel and tourism combined directly contribute over €105.3&nbsp;billion to German GDP. Including indirect and induced impacts, the industry supports 4.2&nbsp;million jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/EN/Publikationen/wirtschaftsfaktor-tourismus-in-deutschland-lang.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3|title=Tourism as a driver of economic growth in Germany|publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy|date=November 2017|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=8 July 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708124326/https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/EN/Publikationen/wirtschaftsfaktor-tourismus-in-deutschland-lang.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2022, Germany is the [[World Tourism rankings|eighth-most-visited country]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-05/UNWTO_Barom23_02_May_EXCERPT_final.pdf?VersionId=gGmuSXlwfM1yoemsRrBI9ZJf.Vmc9gYD|journal=World Tourism Barometer|volume=21|issue=2|date=May 2023|title=International Tourism – 2023 starts on a strong note with the Middle East recovering 2019 levels in the first quarter|archive-date=2 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802171252/https://webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-05/UNWTO_Barom23_02_May_EXCERPT_final.pdf?VersionId=gGmuSXlwfM1yoemsRrBI9ZJf.Vmc9gYD|url-status=live}}</ref> Its most popular landmarks include [[Cologne Cathedral]], the [[Brandenburg Gate]], the [[Reichstag building|Reichstag]], the [[Dresden Frauenkirche]], [[Neuschwanstein Castle]], [[Heidelberg Castle]], the [[Wartburg]], and [[Sanssouci Palace]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-most-visited-landmarks/a-19432005|publisher=DW|title=Germany's most visited landmarks|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=6 July 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706112642/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-most-visited-landmarks/a-19432005|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Europa-Park]] near [[Freiburg im Breisgau|Freiburg]] is Europe's second-most popular theme park resort.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/236193/attendance-at-the-europa-park-rust-theme-park/|publisher=Statista|title=Attendance at the Europa Park Rust theme park from 2009 to 2018 (in millions)|date=19 June 2020|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=1 August 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801004437/https://www.statista.com/statistics/236193/attendance-at-the-europa-park-rust-theme-park/|url-status=live}}</ref>