PEOPLE
Most inhabitants of Germany are ethnic German. There are, however, more than 7 million foreign residents, most of whom are the families and descendents of so-called "guest workers" (foreign workers, mostly from Turkey, invited to Germany in the 1950's and 1960's to fill labor shortages) who remained in Germany, and Germany has a sizable ethnic Turkish population. Germany is also a prime destination for political and economic refugees from many developing countries. An ethnic Danish minority lives in the north, and a small Slavic minority known as the Sorbs lives in eastern Germany. Due to restrictive German citizenship laws, most "foreigners" do not hold German citizenship even when born and raised in Germany. However, since the German government undertook citizenship and immigration law reforms in 2002, more foreign residents have had the ability to naturalize.
Germany has one of the world's highest levels of education, technological development, and economic productivity. Since the end of World War II, the number of youths entering universities has more than tripled, and the trade and technical schools of the Federal Republic of Germany (F.R.G.) are among the world's best. With a per capita income level of more than $28,700, Germany is a broadly middle class society. A generous social welfare system provides for universal medical care, unemployment compensation, and other social needs. Millions of Germans travel abroad each year.
With unification
on October 3, 1990, Germany began the major task of bringing the
standard of living of Germans in the former German Democratic
Republic (G.D.R.) up to that of western Germany. This has been
a lengthy and difficult process due to the relative inefficiency
of industrial enterprises in the former G.D.R., difficulties in
resolving property ownership in eastern Germany, and the inadequate
infrastructure and environmental damage that resulted from years
of mismanagement under communist rule.
Economic
uncertainty in eastern Germany is often cited as one factor contributing
to extremist violence, primarily from the political right. Confusion
about the causes of the current hardships and a need to place
blame has found expression in harassment and violence by some
Germans directed toward foreigners, particularly non-Europeans.
The vast majority of Germans condemn such violence.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--German(s).
Population (2007 est.): 82 million.
Ethnic groups: Primarily German; Danish minority in the north, Sorbian (Slavic) minority in the east; 7.3 million foreign residents.
Religions: Protestants (26 million); Roman Catholics (26 million); approximately 3.2 million Muslims.
Language: German.
Education: Years compulsory--10; attendance--100%; literacy--99%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2006 est.)--4.12/1,000; life expectancy (2006 est.)--women 81.96 years, men 77.81 years.
Persons employed (2006 avg.): 39.08 million; unemployed (2006 avg.): 9.8% of labor force.
