Editing Germany (section)

== 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 and [[financial centre]] in Europe and the seat of the [[European Central Bank]]<ref name="frankfurt">{{cite report |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 |publisher=University of Sheffield |url-status=live |series=SPERI Global Political Economy Brief |year=2018 |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}}</ref>]]

Germany has a [[social market economy]] with a highly skilled [[labour force]], a low level of [[Corruption in Germany|corruption]],<ref>{{cite web |date=24 January 2020 |title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2019 |url=https://www.transparency.org/cpi2019 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327160133/https://www.transparency.org/cpi2019 |archivedate=27 March 2020 |accessdate=29 March 2020 |publisher=Transparency International}}</ref> and a high level of [[innovation]].<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 has the [[List of sovereign states in Europe by GDP (nominal)|largest economy in Europe by nominal GDP]], which is also 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 [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|sixth-largest by PPP-adjusted GDP]].<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=18 November 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327113849/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ny.gdp.mktp.pp.cd%3Fmost_recent_value_desc%3Dtrue|archivedate=27 March 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Its PPP-adjusted GDP per capita 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|country's service sector]] contributes approximately 72% of the total GDP, industry 27%—with Germany having the [[List of countries by manufacturing output|largest manufacturing sector in Europe]]—and [[Agriculture in Germany|agriculture]] 1% {{as of|2023|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]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Monetary policy |url=https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-625914 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152755/https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-625914 |archivedate=20 June 2021 |accessdate=30 March 2020 |publisher=Bundesbank}}</ref> which is based in [[Frankfurt]].<ref name="frankfurt" /> Germany is the world's [[List of countries by exports|third-largest exporter]] and [[List of countries by imports|third-largest importer]],<ref name="CIA2">{{Cite web |title=Germany |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109075739/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany |archivedate=9 January 2021 |accessdate=29 March 2020 |website=World Factbook |publisher=CIA}}</ref> and it has the [[List of countries by net goods exports|second-largest trade surplus]] after China. [[List of the largest trading partners of Germany|Its largest trading partners]] in 2024 were the United States, China, and the Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The United States is Germany's main trading partner |url=https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Economy/Foreign-Trade/trading-partners.html |accessdate=8 March 2025|publisher=[[Federal Statistical Office of Germany]]}}</ref> [[List of exports of Germany|Germany's main exports]] are vehicles, machinery, and chemical goods.<ref name="Destatis2">{{Cite web |title=Foreign trade |url=http://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/NationalEconomyEnvironment/ForeignTrade/_Graphic/TradingGoods.png?__blob=poster |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 |website=Statistiches Bundesamt}}</ref>

The [[German automotive industry]] 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> It was the [[List of countries by motor vehicle production|sixth-largest by production]] and largest by export value in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cars |url=https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/cars |accessdate=8 March 2025 |website=[[The Observatory of Economic Complexity]]}}</ref> Germany is home to [[Volkswagen Group]], the world's [[List of automotive manufacturers by production|second-largest automotive manufacturer 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>

[[File:Electromobility Summit Berlin 2013 - Angela Merkel.JPG|thumb|Then-chancellor [[Angela Merkel]] at the 2013 [[Electric vehicle|Electromobility]] Summit in Berlin. All new cars sold in Germany must be [[Zero-emissions vehicle|zero-emission vehicles]] by 2035.<ref>{{cite news |last=Abnett |first=Kate |date=29 March 2023 |title=EU countries approve 2035 phaseout of CO2-emitting cars |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/eu-countries-poised-approve-2035-phaseout-co2-emitting-cars-2023-03-28/ |work=Reuters}}</ref>]]Of the world's 500 largest stock market-listed companies by revenue in 2024, the [[Fortune Global 500|''Fortune'' Global 500]], 29 were based 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> The [[DAX]], Germany's stock market index operated by the [[Frankfurt Stock Exchange]], includes 30 major Germany-based companies.<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 German brands include [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[BMW]], [[Volkswagen]], [[Audi]], [[Porsche]], [[Opel]], [[Siemens]], [[Bayer]], [[Allianz]], [[Adidas]], [[Puma (brand)|Puma]], [[Hugo Boss]], [[SAP]], [[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]]}}.<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 around 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> and third in the quality-adjusted [[Nature Index]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2024 |title=Nature Index 2024 Research Leaders: India follows in China's footsteps as top ten changes again |url=https://www.nature.com/nature-index/news/nature-index-research-leaders-india-follows-china-footsteps |website=Nature Index }}</ref> Research institutions in Germany include the [[Max Planck Society]], the [[Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres|Helmholtz Association]], 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|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> The country was ranked 9th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/|page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}</ref> 

=== Infrastructure ===
{{Main|Transport in Germany|Energy in Germany|Telecommunications in Germany|Water supply and sanitation in Germany}}
[[File:ICE 3 Oberhaider-Wald-Tunnel.jpg|thumb|High-speed trains like the [[ICE 3]] connect the [[High-speed rail in Germany|whole of Germany]].]]
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 [[List of countries by road network density|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 the [[List of busiest ports in Europe|third-busiest port in Europe]] and 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>
[[File:Windmills Baltic 1.jpg|thumb|[[Wind turbine|Wind turbines]] in the German [[North Sea]]]]
{{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 plants in Germany|German nuclear power plants]] 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> Germany meets its power demands using 40% [[renewable energy|renewable sources]] (2018),<ref>{{cite web |last=Wettengel |first=Julian |date=2 January 2019 |title=Renewables supplied 40 percent of net public power in Germany in 2018 |url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-supplied-40-percent-net-public-power-germany-2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152813/https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-supplied-40-percent-net-public-power-germany-2018 |archivedate=20 June 2021 |accessdate=10 April 2020 |website=Clean Energy Wire}}</ref> and has been called an "early leader" in [[solar panel]]s and [[Offshore wind power|offshore wind]].<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> The country is committed to the [[Paris Agreement]] and several other treaties promoting biodiversity,<ref>{{cite web |year=2017 |title=Committed to Biodiversity |url=https://www.cbd.int/financial/2017docs/germany-commitment2016.pdf |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212170157/https://www.cbd.int/financial/2017docs/germany-commitment2016.pdf |archivedate=12 February 2020 |accessdate=10 April 2020 |publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development}}</ref> low emission standards,<ref>{{cite news |last=Eddy |first=Melissa |date=15 November 2019 |title=Germany Passes Climate-Protection Law to Ensure 2030 Goals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/world/europe/germany-climate-law.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313200755/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/world/europe/germany-climate-law.html |archivedate=13 March 2020 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> and [[water management]].<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> As of 2017, Germany'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> In 2023, Germany was the 14th highest emitting nation of [[greenhouse gas]]es.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Olefs |first1=M. |last2=Formayer |first2=H. |last3=Gobiet |first3=A. |last4=Marke |first4=T. |last5=Schöner |first5=W. |last6=Revesz |first6=M. |date=1 June 2021 |title=Past and future changes of the Austrian climate – Importance for tourism |journal=Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism|volume=34 |page=100395 |doi=10.1016/j.jort.2021.100395|doi-access=free |bibcode=2021JORT...3400395O }}</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 |last=Federal Ministry for the Environment |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 |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 |url-status=live |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}}</ref><ref name="International Energy Agency-2021" /> with the country being called "the world's first major renewable energy economy".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/04/germany-the-worlds-first-major-renewable-energy-economy |title=Germany: The World's First Major Renewable Energy Economy |accessdate=24 February 2024 |archivedate=29 March 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329212358/http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/04/germany-the-worlds-first-major-renewable-energy-economy |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 |date=25 September 2023 |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:Schloss Neuschwanstein 2013.jpg|thumb|[[Neuschwanstein Castle]] in [[Bavaria]]]]
Domestic and international travel and tourism combined directly contributed over €105.3&nbsp;billion to German GDP in 2015.<ref name=":1" /> Including indirect and induced impacts, the industry supported nearly 4.2&nbsp;million jobs in 2015.<ref name=":1">{{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 2023, 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>