German Mittelstand:
Engine of the German economy
Facts and figures about small and medium-sized German firms
www.bmwi.de
Introduction Economy Exports Employment R&D Financing SME policy Sources
Germany is Europe’s economic driving force
The German economy is doing well in comparison with many other countries. This is causing
people all around the world to take a particularly keen look at Germany, and especially at the
“German Mittelstand” and its longstanding record of high employment and productivity. This
“Factbook” summarises the factors which make the “German Mittelstand” successful.
The statistics on the “German Mittelstand” in this brochure refer to small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) , either according to the German definition (up to 500 employees and up to
€50m annual turnover) or according to the European definition (up to 250 employees or up to
€50m annuall turnover).) Direct
Di i
comparisons l
are not always possible;
ibl the
h definition
d fi i i usedd is
i cited
i d
for each diagram.
However, facts and figures alone are not enough to explain the phenomenon of the “German
Mittellstand”. Many of these successful enterprises are characterised by features like independence
or family ownership. If one takes these features as criteria, the concept of “German Mittelstand”
can also embrace larger companies. Many innovative German firms remain committed to the
spirit of the “German Mittelstand” even after they have outgrown the traditional definitions of
SMEs due to the success of their products and services.
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“German Mittelstand” at a glance
More than 99% of all German firms belong to the “German Mittelstand”.
The “German Mittelstand” contributes almost 52% of total economic output.
The “German Mittelstand” accounts for around 37% of the overall turnover of
German companies; in 2011, that was approx. €2tr.
The “German Mittelstand” employs roughly 15,5 million people. That equates to
approx. 60% of all employees subject to social security contributions.
The training provided by the “German Mittelstand” makes a major contribution
towards the comparatively low level of youth unemployment (7.9%).
The international turnover of the “German Mittelstand” has been growing for
years, and stood at €186.1bn in 2010.
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What makes the “German Mittelstand” so successful?
Almost all of Germany’s SMEs are family-owned, and many are managed by their
owner. Their business policies tend to be especially long-term.
The “German Mittelstand” companies are some of the most innovative in Europe:
54% of them launched an innovation onto the market in the 2008 - 2010 period.
The “German Mittelstand” relies on sound financing models –
chiefly equity and bank loans.
The high equity ratio and a cautious approach to expansion enable the companies to
undertake medium-term and long-term investments, even in times of crisis.
The “German Mittelstand” employs 83.2% of trainees – the much sought-after
skilled workers of tomorrow.
Government supports the “German Mittelstand” on key issues like investment in
R&D, the skills shortage, foreign trade and investment, financing needs, company
start-ups and company hand-overs.
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The “German Mittelstand” mainly consists of family-owned firms
Proportion of family-owned firms in Germany
Percentage, 2010 figures
There were roughly 3.7 million
companies in Germany in 2010, more
than 99% of them classed as belonging to
the “German Mittelstand”.
Roughly 95% of all German firms are
family-owned. Of these, approx. 85% are
managed by their owner.
“German Mittelstand” companies tend to
take a particularly long-term approach to
business, based on stable client relations,
a continuous human resources policy,
and strong ties to the region.
Sources: IfM Bonn; European Commission 5
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The “German Mittelstand” is the backbone of the economy
Proportions accounted for by the German Mittelstand
Percentages, 2010/2011 figures
In 2010, the “German Mittelstand”
contributed almost 52% of the value
added by the German economy. It
accounted for around 37% of the total
turnover of all German firms (2011
figure).
In absolute figures, the total turnover of
the “German Mittelstand” stood at
around €2tr in 2011 (excluding turnover
of foreign subsidiaries).
Comparison: The turnover of the 30
DAX-listed companies amounted to
€1.19tr in 2011 (incl. foreign subsidiaries).
Reference size: European SME definition
Sources: IfM Bonn; Ernst & Young 6
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“German Mittelstand” especially strong in the industrial sector
Employees of Mittelstand in industrial sector
Figures in percent, 2012 figures*
Compared with similar companies
elsewhere in the world, the “German
Mittelstand” is highly active in the
industrial sector: almost a quarter of all
employees work in this field – far more
than in the other major industrial
nations.
The “German Mittelstand” is a strong
supplier of capital goods on new markets
all round the world.
Reference size: European SME definition
Sources: European Commission (*USA: 2009); Federal Statistical Office 7
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Typically German: the hidden champions
“Hidden Champions” in the international
comparison, 2012 figures
Studies show that no other country has
as many hidden champions as Germany:
some 1,300 world market leaders from
the “German Mittelstand” have
successfully found niches for their
products.
These hidden champions are especially
strong in the fields of electrical
engineering and industrial products.
Sources: Simon, H.: Hidden Champions – Aufbruch nach Globalia, Campus Verlag 8
Langenscheidt, F., Venohr, B.: (ed.): Lexikon der deutschen Weltmarktführer, Deutsche Standards, pp. 9-19
Current figures: Deutsche Weltmarktführer database 2.3.1, survey of 29.06.2012
Introduction Economy Exports Employment R&D Financing SME policy Sources
The “German Mittelstand” is also successful abroad
Export turnover of “German Mittelstand” In contrast to similar companies in other
Figures in €bn, 2000 - 2010 development major European economies, “German
Mittelstand” companies already enjoy a
relatively strong position on foreign
markets.
This can be seen for example from the
export figures recorded by the “German
Mittelstand”, which rose by 29.5% to
€186.1bn between 2000 and 2010.
These sales are generated by some 345,000
companies – roughly 98% of all German
companies exporting goods and services.
In total, the “German Mittelstand”
accounted for around 19% of total exports
by German firms.
Reference size: German SME definition
Sources: IfM Bonn; KfW 9
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The “German Mittelstand” is a leading generator of jobs
Employees in SMEs: international comparison
Figures for 2012 in %*
Approx. 15.5 million people are employed
by the “German Mittelstand” in jobs subject
to social security contributions – this
equates to a ratio of 61.3%, relatively high in
the international comparison.
The “German Mittelstand” pursues a
continuity-based approach to employment,
even in times of crisis. This makes it an
important generator of jobs in Germany.
Whereas large German firms cut jobs
between 2008 and 2011 (- 2.4%), the
“German Mittelstand” increased
employment by 1.6 %.
Reference size: European SME definition
Source: European Commission (*USA: 2009 figures) 10
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Very low youth unemployment due to “German Mittelstand”
Youth unemployment in the international comparison
Percentages
Four-fifths of trainees – more than 1.29
million of the 1.56 million trainees in
Germany – receive their training in the
“German Mittelstand” (as of end 2011).
The “German Mittelstand” is a major factor
ensuring that youth unemployment is much
lower in Germany than in many European
countries.
Germany’s vocational training g system
y is
regarded as a model all round the world
because it guarantees a high quality of
training and helps to meet the growing
demand for skilled labour in Germany.
Sources: Eurostat 11
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The “German Mittelstand” is highly innovative
Innovative SMEs
Figures for 2010 in %
54% of “German Mittelstand” companies
brought a product or process innovation to
market in the 2008 - 2010 period – the EU
average was only 34%.
The “German Mittelstand” invested approx.
€8.7m in research and development in 2010 –
that equates to one-seventh of the total.
Spending on R&D rose by around 71%
between 2004 and 2010 (figure for large
companies: + 19%).
Reference size: European SME definition
Sources: Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft; Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln; Eurostat 12
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The “German Mittelstand” relies on sound financing models
Sources of finance for the Mittelstand
2011 figures as % of volume of investment
The “German Mittelstand” finances most
of its investment from its own equity (54%)
and bank loans (29%).
In 2011, 11% of the investment was
financed via public-sector assistance.
Least use is made of alternative forms of
financing (e.g. mezzanine or venture
capital): in 2011, this only happened in 6%
of all cases.
The equity ratio of the “German
Mittelstand” has risen continuously since
2005, reaching 20.7% in 2011.
Reference size: German Mittelstand definition
Sources: KfW-Mittelstandspanel 2011; Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband (DSGV) 13
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The BMWi’s Mittelstand policies at a glance
In order to ensure that the “German Mittelstand” will continue to contribute to growth, employment
and prosperity in Germany, the Economics Ministry is pursuing policies with the following objectives:
1 Developing key technologies and promoting investment
e.g. via the Central SME Innovation Programme
2 Boosting market opportunities abroad
e.g. information on markets from Germany Trade & Invest, network of bilateral chambers, foreign trade-fair
programme, market development programme, export initiatives, export credit guarantees, investment guarantees
3 Making better use of the pool of skilled labour
e.g. via the “Make it in Germany” website, improved recognition of foreign qualifications, centre of excellence
to secure skills, “Vocational Training – Practically Unbeatable”” campaign
4 Supporting hand-overs and start-ups of companies
e.g. via the German Entrepreneurship Week, the “Entrepreneurial Spirit in Schools” initiative, the “EXIST Start-
up Culture – the Start-Up College” competition, the www.existenzgruender.de website
5 Facilitating financing
e.g. via ERP financing programmes, KfW financing programme, High-Tech Start-up Fund II, ERP/EIF fund of
funds, ERP Start-up Fund
6 Securing raw materials, improving energy and materials efficiency
7 Further reduction of bureaucratic burdens affecting the “German Mittelstand”
Source: BMWi 14
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Suggestions, questions, contact
This “Factbook” presents the main structural, economic and socio-demographic features of SMEs in
Germany, a business sector known as the “German Mittelstand”, and serves as a research aid for
media representatives. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information. It is
worth following up the sources of the information for a deeper analysis (cf. page 16).
Please submit any suggestions about the “German Mittelstand” to
buero-VC1@bmwi.bund.de
Please address any questions about the German Government’s SME policies to
buero-IIA1@bmwi.bund.de
This Factbook can be downloaded at:
www.bmwi.de/go/EN/german-mittelstand
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Sources and further reading
www.bmwi.de
www.foerderdatenbank.de
IfM Institut für Mittelstandsforschung (many of the main statistics)
KfW (“KfW-Mittelstandspanel 2011”, “Die Globalisierung des Mittelstandes”)
Eurostat (“Key figures on European business with a special feature on SMEs”; “Community innovation survey”;
www.epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/3-02052012-AP/DE/3-02052012-AP-DE.PDF)
European Commission (“Annual Report on EU Small and Medium sized Enterprises 2011/2012”;
www.ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/index_en.htm)
Federal Statistical Office
Ernst & Young (“Entwicklung der DAX-30-Unternehmen 2009/2010”)
Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft (“FuE-Datenreport 2012”)
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln (www.iwkoeln.de/de/infodienste/iwd/archiv/beitrag/27978)
CESifo GmbH (“ifo Konjunkturtest April 2012”)
Simon, H.: Hidden Champions – Aufbruch nach Globalia, Campus Verlag, Frankfurt/Main 2012
Langenscheidt, F., Venohr, B. (ed.): Lexikon der deutschen Weltmarktführer, Deutsche Standards, Cologne 2010
IMD World Comp
petitiveness Yearbook 2012
Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband (DSGV)
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Imprint
Published by
Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi)
Public Relations Division
11019 Berlin
Germany
www.bmwi.de
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