Delegate of Sweden

DELEGATE OF SWEDEN :KAMALESHWAR NAIDU

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Background:

Population:

9,119,423 (July 2013 est.)country comparison to the world:92

Age structure:

0-14 years:15.4% (male 724,724/female 682,451)15-24 years:12.9% (male 602,347/female 574,650)25-54 years:38.8% (male 1,790,185/female 1,745,108)55-64 years:12.4% (male 561,460/female 564,861)65 years and over:20.5% (male 841,211/female 1,032,426) (2013 est.)population pyramid:

Median age:

total:42.4 yearsmale:41.2 yearsfemale:43.5 years (2013 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.18% (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:178

Birth rate:

10.33 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:186

Death rate:

10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:47

Net migration rate:

1.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:48

Urbanization:

urban population:85% of total population (2010)rate of urbanization:0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major urban areas - population:

STOCKHOLM (capital) 1.279 million (2009)

Sex ratio:

at birth:1.06 male(s)/female0-14 years:1.06 male(s)/female15-24 years:1.05 male(s)/female25-54 years:1.03 male(s)/female55-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over:0.81 male(s)/femaletotal population:0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Maternal mortality rate:

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)country comparison to the world:178

Infant mortality rate:

total:2.73 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world:220male:2.89 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale:2.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:81.28 yearscountry comparison to the world:17male:78.95 yearsfemale:83.75 years (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.67 children born/woman (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:173

Contraceptive prevalence rate:

75.2%note:percent of women aged 18-44 (1996)

Health expenditures:

9.6% of GDP (2010)country comparison to the world:31

Physicians density:

3.58 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Hospital bed density:

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Drinking water source:

improved:urban: 100% of populationrural: 100% of populationtotal: 100% of population (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access:


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

8,100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:107

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:140

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:

18.6% (2008)country comparison to the world:104

Education expenditures:


Literacy:

definition:age 15 and over can read and writetotal population:99%male:99%female:99% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total:16 yearsmale:15 yearsfemale:17 years (2011)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:

total:22.9%country comparison to the world:45male:23.8%female:22% (2011)

Mother's mean age at first birth:

28.6 (2005 est.)

Government ::SWEDENCountry name:

conventional long form:Kingdom of Swedenconventional short form:Swedenlocal long form:Konungariket Sverigelocal short form:Sverige

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

name:Stockholmgeographic coordinates:59 20 N, 18 03 Etime difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland

Independence:

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

National holiday:

National Day, 6 June (1983); note - from 1916 to 1982 this date was celebrated as Swedish Flag Day

Constitution:

1 January 1975

Legal system:

civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and customary law

International law organization participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state:King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)head of government:Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Jan BJORKLUND (since 5 October 2010)cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the prime minister(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)elections:the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms)elections:last held on 19 September 2010 (next to be held in September 2014)election results:percent of vote by party - SAP 30.7%, Moderate Party 30.1%, Green Party 7.3%, FP 7.1%, C 6.6%, SD 5.7%, KD 5.6%, V 5.6%, others 1.3%; seats by party - SAP 112, Moderate Party 107, Green Party 25, FP 24, C 23, SD 20, KD 19, V 19

Judicial branch:

highest court(s):Supreme Court of Sweden (consists of 16 justices including the court chairman; Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 18 justices including the court president)judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court justices nominated by the Board of Judges, a 9-member nominating body consisting of high-level judges, prosecutors, and members of Parliament; justices appointed by the Government; following a probationary period, justices' appointments are permanentsubordinate courts:first instance and appellate general and administrative courts; specialized courts that handle cases such as land and environment, immigration, labor, markets, and patents

Political parties and leaders:

Center Party (Centerpartiet) or C [Annie LOOF]Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna) or KD [Goran HAGGLUND]Green Party (Miljopartiet de Grona); [spokespersons Asa ROMSON and Gustav FRIDOLIN]Left Party (Vansterpartiet) (formerly Communist Party) or V [Jonas SJOSTEDT]Liberal People's Party (Folkpartiet) or FP [Jan BJORKLUND]Moderate Party (Moderaterna) [Fredrik REINFELDT]Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna) or SAP [Stefan LOFVEN]Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) or SD [Jimmie AKESSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Children's Rights in SocietySwedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCOSwedish Trade Union Confederation (Landsorganisationen) or LO [Wanja LUNDBY-WEDIN]other:environmental groups; media

International organization participation:

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission:Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROMchancery:The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone:[1] (202) 467-2600FAX:[1] (202) 467-2699consulate(s) general:New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission:Ambassador Mark BRZEZINSKIembassy:Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholmmailing address:American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750telephone:[46] (08) 783 53 00FAX:[46] (08) 661 19 64

Flag description:

blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field

National symbol(s):

three crowns; lion

National anthem:

name:"Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)

lyrics/music:Richard DYBECK/traditionalnote:in use since 1844; the anthem, also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies

Economy ::SWEDENEconomy - overview:

Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a highly skilled labor force. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for vast majority of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for about 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for little more than 1% of GDP and of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances offered the center-right government considerable scope to implement its reform program aimed at increasing employment, reducing welfare dependence, and streamlining the state's role in the economy. Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and the contraction continued in 2009 as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. Strong exports of commodities and a return to profitability by Sweden's banking sector drove the strong rebound in 2010, which continued in 2011, but growth slipped to 1.2% in 2012. The government proposed stimulus measures in 2012 to curb the effects of a global economic slowdown and boost employment and growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$399.4 billion (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:35$394.7 billion (2011 est.)$380.4 billion (2010 est.)note:data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$526.2 billion (2012 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.2% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:1593.8% (2011 est.)6.3% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$41,900 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:26$41,600 (2011 est.)$40,400 (2010 est.)note:data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture:1.8%industry:27.4%services:70.8% (2012 est.)

Labor force:

5.058 million (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:75

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture:1.1%industry:28.2%services:70.7% (2008 est.)

Unemployment rate:

8% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:907.5% (2011 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%:3.6%highest 10%:22.2% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

23 (2005)country comparison to the world:13625 (1992)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.9% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:108

Budget:

revenues:$270 billionexpenditures:$271.5 billion (2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues:


Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):

-0.3% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:52

Public debt:

38.2% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:9238.4% of GDP (2011 est.)note:data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.9% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:133% (2011 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

5.5% (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world:1370.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:


Stock of narrow money:

$260.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)country comparison to the world:17$232.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money:


Stock of domestic credit:


Market value of publicly traded shares:

$470.1 billion (31 December 2011)country comparison to the world:20$581.2 billion (31 December 2010)$432.3 billion (31 December 2009)

Agriculture - products:

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Industries:

iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles

Industrial production growth rate:


Current account balance:

$37.56 billion (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:13$37.73 billion (2011 est.)

Exports:


Exports - commodities:

machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals

Exports - partners:

Norway 10.4%, Germany 10.3%, UK 8.1%, Denmark 6.7%, Finland 6.7%, Netherlands 5.5%, US 5.5%, Belgium 5%, France 4.8% (2012)

Imports:


Imports - commodities:

machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing

Imports - partners:

Germany 17.4%, Denmark 8.5%, Norway 8.4%, UK 6.5%, Netherlands 6.4%, Russia 5.6%, Finland 5.1%, China 4.9%, France 4.2% (2012)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:


Debt - external:

$1.034 trillion (31 December 2012)country comparison to the world:18$992.5 billion (31 December 2011)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:


Exchange rates:

Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar -6.77 (2012 est.)6.4918 (2011 est.)7.2075 (2010 est.)7.6529 (2009)6.4074 (2008)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Energy ::SWEDENElectricity - production:

147.8 billion kWh (2010 est.)country comparison to the world:27

Electricity - consumption:


Electricity - exports:


Electricity - imports:


Electricity - installed generating capacity:

35.29 million kW (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:25

Electricity - from fossil fuels:

12.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:194

Electricity - from nuclear fuels:

25% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:6

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:


Electricity - from other renewable sources:


Crude oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)country comparison to the world:191

Crude oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:188

Crude oil - imports:

380,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:24

Crude oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)country comparison to the world:190

Refined petroleum products - production:


Refined petroleum products - consumption:


Refined petroleum products - exports:


Refined petroleum products - imports:


Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2010 est.)country comparison to the world:194

Natural gas - consumption:

1.296 billion cu m (2011 est.)country comparison to the world:86

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2011 est.)country comparison to the world:184

Natural gas - imports:


Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)country comparison to the world:194

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:

62.74 million Mt (2010 est.)country comparison to the world:54

Communications ::SWEDENTelephones - main lines in use:

4.6 million (2011)country comparison to the world:35

Telephones - mobile cellular:


Telephone system:

general assessment:highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet and broadband penetrationdomestic:coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channelsinternational:country code - 46; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway) (2011)

Broadcast media:

publicly owned TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial networks plus regional stations; multiple privately-owned TV broadcasters operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 50 local TV stations; widespread access to pan-Nordic and international broadcasters through multi-channel cable and satellite TV; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 3 national stations and a network of 25 regional channels; roughly 100 privately owned local radio stations with some consolidating into near national networks; an estimated 900 community and neighborhood radio stations broadcast intermittently (2008)

Internet country code:

.se

Internet hosts:


Internet users:


Transportation ::SWEDENAirports:

230 (2012)country comparison to the world:26

Airports - with paved runways:

total:149over 3,047 m:32,438 to 3,047 m:121,524 to 2,437 m:74914 to 1,523 m:23under 914 m:37 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total:81914 to 1,523 m:5under 914 m:76 (2012)

Heliports:

2 (2012)

Pipelines:

gas 1,626 km (2013)

Railways:

total:11,633 kmcountry comparison to the world:20standard gauge:11,568 km 1.435-m gauge (7,567 km electrified)narrow gauge:65 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:

total:572,900 km (includes 1,855 km of expressways)country comparison to the world:12note:includes 98,400 km of state roads, 433,500 km of private roads, and 41,000 km of municipal roads; 215,700 km of these are open to public traffic (2009)

Waterways:

2,052 km (2010)country comparison to the world:41

Merchant marine:

total:135country comparison to the world:42by type:bulk carrier 4, cargo 16, carrier 1, chemical tanker 15, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 30, vehicle carrier 17foreign-owned:35 (Denmark 4, Estonia 3, Finland 16, Germany 3, Ireland 1, Italy 5, Norway 3)registered in other countries:189 (Bahamas 11, Barbados 4, Bermuda 14, Canada 2, Cook Islands 3, Cyprus 5, Denmark 15, Faroe Islands 11, Finland 1, France 4, Gibraltar 11, Italy 1, Liberia 12, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 12, Norway 27, Panama 2, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10, Singapore 11, UK 28) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby

Military ::SWEDENMilitary branches:

Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18-47 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); the Swedish Parliament has abolished compulsory military service, with exclusively voluntary recruitment as of July 2010; conscription remains an option in emergencies; after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47 (2012)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49:2,065,691females age 16-49:1,996,764 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male:54,960female:52,275 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:


Transnational Issues ::SWEDENDisputes - international:

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin):27,367 Iraq; 17,602 Somalia; 6,620 Afghanistan; 5,529 Serbia; 5,123 Eritrea (2011)

DELEGATE OF GERMANY :KAMALESHWAR NAIDU

Introduction ::GERMANY

Background:

As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.

Geography ::GERMANYLocation:

Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark

Geographic coordinates:

51 00 N, 9 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total:357,022 sq kmcountry comparison to the world:63land:348,672 sq kmwater:8,350 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Montana

Land boundaries:

total:3,790 kmborder countries:Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 815 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km

Coastline:

2,389 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea:12 nmexclusive economic zone:200 nmcontinental shelf:200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind

Terrain:

lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point:Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 mhighest point:Zugspitze 2,963 m

Natural resources:

coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land

Land use:

arable land:33.25%permanent crops:0.56%other:66.19% (2011)

Irrigated land:

5,157 sq km (2006)

Total renewable water resources:

154 cu km (2011)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total:32.3 cu km/yr (16%/84%/0%)per capita:391.4 cu m/yr (2007)

Natural hazards:

flooding

Environment - current issues:

emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive

Environment - international agreements:

party to:Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea

People and Society ::GERMANYNationality:

noun:German(s)adjective:German

Ethnic groups:

German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish)

Languages:

German

Religions:

Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3%

Population:

81,147,265 (July 2013 est.)country comparison to the world:16

Age structure:

0-14 years:13.1% (male 5,435,658/female 5,155,065)15-24 years:10.8% (male 4,457,412/female 4,267,366)25-54 years:42% (male 17,268,604/female 16,786,146)55-64 years:13.3% (male 5,354,690/female 5,469,884)65 years and over:20.9% (male 7,360,711/female 9,591,729) (2013 est.)population pyramid:

Median age:

total:45.7 yearsmale:44.7 yearsfemale:46.8 years (2013 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.19% (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:211

Birth rate:

8.37 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:217

Death rate:

11.17 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:36

Net migration rate:

0.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:59

Urbanization:

urban population:74% of total population (2010)rate of urbanization:0% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major urban areas - population:

BERLIN (capital) 3.438 million; Hamburg 1.786 million; Munich 1.349 million; Cologne 1.001 million (2009)

Sex ratio:

at birth:1.06 male(s)/female0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female15-24 years:1.05 male(s)/female25-54 years:1.03 male(s)/female55-64 years:0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over:0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population:0.97 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Maternal mortality rate:

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)country comparison to the world:165

Infant mortality rate:

total:3.48 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world:210male:3.78 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale:3.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:80.32 yearscountry comparison to the world:28male:78.04 yearsfemale:82.72 years (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.42 children born/woman (2013 est.)country comparison to the world:200

Contraceptive prevalence rate:

70.1%note:percent of women aged 20-39 (1992)

Health expenditures:


Physicians density:

3.53 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Hospital bed density:

8.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Drinking water source:


Sanitation facility access:


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

67,000 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:50

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:78

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:


Education expenditures:


Literacy:

definition:age 15 and over can read and writetotal population:99%male:99%female:99% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total:16 yearsmale:16 yearsfemale:16 years (2006)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:

total:8.5%country comparison to the world:117male:9.1%female:7.8% (2011)

Mother's mean age at first birth:

28.9note:Data are based on events and not on fertility rates. Data refer to first birth within current marriage. (2010 est.)

Government ::GERMANYCountry name:

conventional long form:Federal Republic of Germanyconventional short form:Germanylocal long form:Bundesrepublik Deutschlandlocal short form:Deutschlandformer:German Empire, German Republic, German Reich

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

name:Berlingeographic coordinates:52 31 N, 13 24 Etime difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen (Hesse), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen (Thuringia); note - Bayern, Sachsen, and Thueringen refer to themselves as free states (Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat)

Independence:

18 January 1871 (establishment of the German Empire); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed on 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed on 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and East Germany unified on 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights on 15 March 1991; notable earlier dates: 10 August 843 (Eastern Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 2 February 962 (crowning of OTTO I, recognized as the first Holy Roman Emperor)

National holiday:

Unity Day, 3 October (1990)

Constitution:

23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united Germany 3 October 1990

Legal system:

civil law system

International law organization participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state:President Joachim GAUCK (since 23 March 2012)head of government:Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005)cabinet:Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)elections:president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held on 19 February 2012 (next to be held by June 2017); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Parliament for a four-year term; Federal Parliament vote for Chancellor last held after 27 September 2009 (next to be held 22 September 2013)election results:Joachim GAUCK elected president; received 991 votes of the Federal Convention against 126 for Beate KLARSFELD and 3 for Olaf ROSE; Angela MERKEL reelected chancellor; vote by Federal Parliament 323 to 285 with four abstentions

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments sit in the Council; each has three to six votes in proportion to population and is required to vote as a block) and the Federal Parliament or Bundestag (622 seats; members elected by popular vote for a four-year term under a system of personalized proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain proportional representation and caucus recognition)elections:Bundestag - last held on 27 September 2009 (next to be held no later than autumn 2013); most all postwar German governments have been coalitions; note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an electionelection results:Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 33.8%, SPD 23%, FDP 14.6%, Left 11.9%, Greens 10.7%, other 6%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 239, SPD 146, FDP 93, Left 76, Greens 68

Judicial branch:

highest court(s):Federal Court of Justice (court consists of 127 judges including the court president, vice-presidents, presiding judges, and other judges, and organized into 25 Senates subdivided into 12 civil panels, 5 criminal panels, and 8 special panels; Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (consists of 2 Senates each subdivided into 3 chambers, each with a chairman and 8 members)judge selection and term of office:Federal Court of Justice judges selected by the Judges Election Committee, which consists of the Secretaries of Justice from each of the 16 federated States and 16 members appointed by the Federal Parliament; judges appointed by the president of Germany; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Federal Constitutional Court judges - one-half elected by the House of Representatives and one-half by the Senate; judges appointed for 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 68subordinate courts:Federal Administrative Court; Federal Finance Court; Federal Labor Court; Federal Social Court; each of the 16 German states or Land has its own constitutional court and a hierarchy of ordinary (civil, criminal, family) and specialized (administrative, finance, labor, social) courts

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance '90/Greens [Claudia ROTH and Cem OEZDEMIR]Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]Christian Social Union or CSU [Horst SEEHOFER]Free Democratic Party or FDP [Philipp ROESLER]Left Party or Die Linke [Katia KIPPING and Bernd RIEXINGER]Social Democratic Party or SPD [Sigmar GABRIEL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

business associations and employers' organizationstrade unions; religious, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups

International organization participation:

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission:Ambassador Peter AMMONchancery:2300 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037telephone:[1] (202) 298-4000FAX:[1] (202) 298-4261consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission:Ambassador Philip D. MURPHYembassy:Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlinmailing address:Unit 5090, Box 1000, DPO AE09265telephone:[49] (30) 48305-0FAX:[49] (30) 8305-1215consulate(s) general:Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these colors have played an important role in German history and can be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field

National symbol(s):

golden eagle

National anthem:

name:"Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)

lyrics/music:August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDNnote:adopted 1922; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was originally adopted for its connection to the March 1848 liberal revolution; following appropriation by the Nazis of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism, it was banned after 1945; in 1952, its third verse was adopted by West Germany as its national anthem; in 1990, it became the national anthem for the reunited Germany

Economy ::GERMANYEconomy - overview:

The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment and benefits from a highly skilled labor force. Like its Western European neighbors, Germany faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and declining net immigration are increasing pressure on the country's social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms. Reforms launched by the government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (1998-2005), deemed necessary to address chronically high unemployment and low average growth, contributed to strong growth in 2006 and 2007 and falling unemployment. These advances, as well as a government subsidized, reduced working hour scheme, help explain the relatively modest increase in unemployment during the 2008-09 recession - the deepest since World War II - and its decrease to 6.5% in 2012. GDP contracted 5.1% in 2009 but grew by 4.2% in 2010, and 3.0% in 2011, before dipping to 0.7% in 2012 - a reflection of low investment spending due to crisis-induced uncertainty and the decreased demand for German exports from recession-stricken periphery countries. Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor Angela MERKEL's second term increased Germany's total budget deficit - including federal, state, and municipal - to 4.1% in 2010, but slower spending and higher tax revenues reduced the deficit to 0.8% in 2011. In 2012 Germany reached a budget surplus of 0.1%. A constitutional amendment approved in 2009 limits the federal government to structural deficits of no more than 0.35% of GDP per annum as of 2016 though the target was already reached in 2012. By 2014, the federal government wants to balance its budget. Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced in May 2011 that eight of the country's 17 nuclear reactors would be shut down immediately and the remaining plants would close by 2022. Germany hopes to replace nuclear power with renewable energy. Before the shutdown of the eight reactors, Germany relied on nuclear power for 23% of its electricity generating capacity and 46% of its base-load electricity production.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$3.25 trillion (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:6$3.222 trillion (2011 est.)$3.125 trillion (2010 est.)note:data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$3.401 trillion (2012 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.7% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:1693.1% (2011 est.)4% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$39,700 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:29$39,400 (2011 est.)$38,200 (2010 est.)note:data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture:0.8%industry:28%services:71.2% (2012 est.)

Labor force:

43.93 million (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:14

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture:1.6%industry:24.6%services:73.8% (2011)

Unemployment rate:

5.5% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:537.1% (2011 est.)

Population below poverty line:

15.5% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%:3.6%highest 10%:24% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

27 (2006)country comparison to the world:12630 (1994)

Investment (gross fixed):


Budget:

revenues:$1.535 trillionexpenditures:$1.53 trillion (2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues:


Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):


Public debt:

81.9% of GDP (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:2880.4% of GDP (2011 est.)note:general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government and social security funds; the series are presented as a percentage of GDP and in millions of euro; GDP used as a denominator is the gross domestic product at current market prices; data expressed in national currency are converted into euro using end-of-year exchange rates provided by the European Central Bank

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:462.5% (2011 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

1.5% (31 December 2012)country comparison to the world:1151.75% (31 December 2010)note:this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate:


Stock of narrow money:

$2.025 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)country comparison to the world:5$1.777 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)note:see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Stock of broad money:

$4.281 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)country comparison to the world:5$4.197 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:


Market value of publicly traded shares:

$1.184 trillion (31 December 2011)country comparison to the world:11$1.43 trillion (31 December 2010)$1.298 trillion (31 December 2009)

Agriculture - products:

potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry

Industries:

among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

-0.5% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:140

Current account balance:


Exports:

$1.46 trillion (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:4$1.516 trillion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities:

motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals, computer and electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, metals, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, rubber and plastic products

Exports - partners:

France 10.2%, UK 7%, Netherlands 6.9%, US 6.3%, Austria 5.6%, Italy 5.4%, China 5.1%, Switzerland 4.7%, Belgium 4.3%, Poland 4.1% (2012)

Imports:

$1.222 trillion (2012 est.)country comparison to the world:4$1.295 trillion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, data processing equipment, vehicles, chemicals, oil and gas, metals, electric equipment, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, agricultural products

Imports - partners:

Netherlands 14%, France 7.5%, China 6.7%, Belgium 6.4%, Italy 5.5%, UK 4.9%, Austria 4.4%, Russia 4.4%, Czech Republic 4.1% (2012)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:


Debt - external:

$5.719 trillion (31 December 2012)country comparison to the world:4$5.338 trillion (31 December 2011)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:


Exchange rates:

euros (EUR) per US dollar -0.7778 (2012 est.)0.7185 (2011 est.)0.755 (2010 est.)0.7198 (2009 est.)0.6827 (2008 est.)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Energy ::GERMANYElectricity - production:

558 billion kWh (2010 est.)country comparison to the world:9

Electricity - consumption:


Electricity - exports:


Electricity - imports:


Electricity - installed generating capacity:

153.2 million kW (2010 est.)country comparison to the world:7

Electricity - from fossil fuels:


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:


Electricity - from other renewable sources:


Crude oil - production:


Crude oil - exports:


Crude oil - imports:

1.961 million bbl/day (2009 est.)country comparison to the world:7

Crude oil - proved reserves:

276 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)country comparison to the world:57

Refined petroleum products - production:


Refined petroleum products - consumption:


Refined petroleum products - exports:


Refined petroleum products - imports:


Natural gas - production:


Natural gas - consumption:


Natural gas - exports:


Natural gas - imports:


Natural gas - proved reserves:

175.6 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)country comparison to the world:48

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:

793.7 million Mt (2010 est.)country comparison to the world:7

Communications ::GERMANYTelephones - main lines in use:


Telephones - mobile cellular:


Telephone system:

general assessment:Germany has one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western partdomestic:Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countriesinternational:country code - 49; Germany's international service is excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2011)

Broadcast media:

a mixture of publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; national and regional public broadcasters compete with nearly 400 privately owned national and regional TV stations; more than 90% of households have cable or satellite TV; hundreds of radio stations including multiple national radio networks, regional radio networks, and a large number of local radio stations (2008)

Internet country code:

.de

Internet hosts:


Internet users:


Transportation ::GERMANYAirports:

541 (2012)country comparison to the world:13

Airports - with paved runways:

total:322over 3,047 m:142,438 to 3,047 m:481,524 to 2,437 m:60914 to 1,523 m:70under 914 m:130 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total:2191,524 to 2,437 m:2914 to 1,523 m:32under 914 m:185 (2012)

Heliports:

22 (2012)

Pipelines:

condensate 37 km; gas 26,985 km; oil 2,826 km; refined products 4,479 km; water 8 km (2013)

Railways:

total:41,981 kmcountry comparison to the world:6standard gauge:41,722 km 1.435-m gauge (20,053 km electrified)narrow gauge:220 km 1.000-m gauge (75 km electrified); 39 km 0.750-m gauge (24 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:

total:644,480 kmcountry comparison to the world:11paved:644,480 km (includes 12,800 km of expressways)note:includes local roads (2008)

Waterways:

7,467 km (Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea) (2012)country comparison to the world:19

Merchant marine:

total:427country comparison to the world:24by type:barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 6, cargo 51, carrier 1, chemical tanker 15, container 298, liquefied gas 6, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 24, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1foreign-owned:6 (Finland 3, Netherlands 1, Switzerland 2)registered in other countries:3,420 (Antigua and Barbuda 1094, Australia 2, Bahamas 30, Bermuda 14, Brazil 6, Bulgaria 12, Burma 1, Cayman Islands 3, Cook Islands 1, Curacao 25, Cyprus 192, Denmark 9, Dominica 5, Estonia 1, France 1, Gibraltar 123, Hong Kong 10, Isle of Man 56, Jamaica 10, Liberia 1185, Luxembourg 9, Malta 135, Marshall Islands 248, Morocco 1, Netherlands 86, NZ 2, Panama 24, Papua New Guinea 1, Philippines 2, Portugal 14, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 32, Slovakia 3, Spain 4, Sri Lanka 8, Sweden 3, UK 59, US 5, Venezuela 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Bremen, Bremerhaven, Duisburg, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Lubeck, Neuss-Dusseldorf, Rostock, Wilhemshavenoil terminals:Brunsbuttel Canal terminals

Military ::GERMANYMilitary branches:

Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint Support Services (Streitkraeftbasis, SKB), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst, ZSanDstBw) (2013)

Military service age and obligation:

17-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription ended 1 July 2011; service obligation 8-23 months or 12 years; women have been eligible for voluntary service in all military branches and positions since 2001 (2013)

Manpower available for military service:


Manpower fit for military service:


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male:405,438female:384,930 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:


Transnational Issues ::GERMANYDisputes - international:

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin):110,455 Serbia; 92,986 Turkey; 48,976 Iraq; 39,816 Russia; 30,425 Afghanistan; 24,261 Vietnam; 24,016 Bosnia and Herzegovina; 20,462 Iran; 19,922 Ukraine; 11,724 Sri Lanka; 11,697 Lebanon; 10,155 Syria; 6,368 Azerbaijan; 5,982 Macedonia; 5,146 Democratic Republic of the Congo (2011)

Illicit drugs:

source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center

Documents

Delegate of Sweden