Economic stagnation and structural issues Since 2017, the German economy has grown by a mere 1.6 percent, far below the EU average of 9.5 percent. Structural weaknesses, such as high energy costs, low public investment, and an overreliance on exports, have entrenched stagnation.
Immigration was seen as the most important issue facing Germany in July 2025, selected by 29 percent of people as a problem that month. The Economy was seen by 25 percent of people in Germany as a major issue, and was the second most-common response in the most recent survey.
Germany faced numerous disadvantages after World War I, including economic burdens from reparations, territorial losses, military restrictions, and severe political instability. The Treaty of Versailles blamed Germany for the war, humiliating the nation and weakening its economy.
From language barriers and bureaucratic complexities to cultural differences and the high cost of living, these challenges for newcomers in Germany are part of the journey toward successful integration. While these hurdles may seem daunting, many expats find that overcoming them is both rewarding and enriching.
What Were The Weaknesses Of Germany's Weimar Republic? - Germany Made Simple
What is poverty like in Germany?
Just over 17.3 million people in Germany were affected by poverty or social exclusion in 2022. This equated to 20.9% of the population, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reports on the basis of first results of the survey on income and living conditions (EU-SILC).
In Germany, healthcare is funded by statutory contributions, which therefore entitles German citizens to free healthcare (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung). In addition to this, you can also take out private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung) to replace or top-up the cover that's offered by the state.
Structural weaknesses, such as high energy costs, low public investment, and an overreliance on exports, have entrenched stagnation. Financial Times associate editor Wolfgang Münchau's newest book, Kaput: The End of the German Miracle, underscores these imbalances.
Having a loud conversation, talking loud on the phone, or listening to loud music are considered very impolite as you will disturb other people. German people love to have their privacy. If you see a closed door, it doesn't mean that the person inside does not want you to come in.
Germany is known and admired for many things, from its robust economy to its world-class beer. But recently, Germany has become known for its outstanding quality of life, and increasing numbers of people are moving there to experience its high standard of living.
The law, which is in Article 109, paragraph 3 and Article 115 of the Basic Law, Germany's constitution, is designed to restrict structural budget deficits at the federal level and limit the issuance of government debt. The rule restricts annual structural deficits to 0.35% of GDP.
Germany lost World War I. In the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, the victorious powers (the United States, Great Britain, France, and other allied states) imposed punitive territorial, military, and economic provisions on defeated Germany.
With a gross domestic product of 4,305 billion euros in 2024, Germany is the third largest economy in the world after the United States and China and just ahead of Japan, making it the largest economy in Europe.
Germany has a total population of 84,119,100 people (July 2024). The majority of their ethnic groups are made up of Germans, 87.2%, Turkish 1.8%, Polish 1%, Syrian 1%, other 9% (2024 est.).
2025 German federal election: The CDU/CSU wins a plurality in the Bundestag with about 28.6% of the vote, followed by the AfD with 20.8% and the SPD with 16.4%. The AfD becomes the strongest party in the East, securing all five former East German states.
Education in Germany has a reputation around the globe for being free. Not only is this true, but students can also opt to study at international-top ranked institutions which are also tuition-free. Any student, non-EU as well, can reap the benefits of these study opportunities.
What are the weaknesses of Germany's health care system?
Lack of central control – Germany has no strong institution to coordinate public health measures. Instead, there is a patchwork of responsibilities between the federal, state and local governments, which leads to poor coordination and inefficient allocation of resources.
Public health insurance covers the costs of dental treatment and dentures, provided they are part of standard dental care in Germany. Covered are only basic treatments; for all other dental services and many more specialized procedures, you must pay out of pocket.
The economy of Germany is a highly developed social market economy. It has the largest national economy in Europe, the third-largest by nominal GDP in the world, and the sixth-largest by PPP-adjusted GDP.
German people tend to be thrifty, be sensible, and respect one another's privacy, and they typically respect the structure and laws of society to an above-average degree. There is no place that this sense of 'order' is more apparent than in German business culture.
Gelsenkirchen, in Germany's western Ruhr area, is the poorest city in the country. Garbage lies about in the streets and parks, and vacant and derelict apartments are a frequent sight.
While 60% of people in Germany describe themselves as happy, their fellow human beings are perceived as significantly less happy: only 25% believe that people in Germany are happy. This figure has fallen significantly since 2019: five years ago, 46% of respondents thought that Germans were happy.
Germany crime rate per 100K population for 2021 was 0.83, a 11.21% decline from 2020. Germany crime rate per 100K population for 2020 was. Germany crime rate per 100K population for 2019 was 0.75, a 21.18% decline from 2018. Germany crime rate per 100K population for 2018 was 0.95, a 3.39% decline from 2017.
Snow is more frequent in December through February, but it can occur as early as November. The average number of snowfall days in Germany varies by region, but generally, most areas see an average of around 6 days of snowfall per year.
