GeoRealityMatch
A vibrant autumn avenue with fall colors in Berlin's Tiergarten, showcasing city traffic and scenic trees.A stunning view of Berlin's historic cityscape featuring the Berlin Cathedral and TV Tower at sunset.

Germany

Europe · Western Europe

Very high safetyExpensive cost of livingVery high development

It is one of the most peaceful countries, and people live long. Living costs are high.

Digital NomadOffers home internet at 103 Mbps.ExpatCombines very high development and very high safety.
vs United Statesvs United Kingdomvs Austria
Safety

28th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.657lower is more peacefulVery high safety
#28 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
0.9per 100,000 people a yearLowUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
61.6Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferHighNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes above the European median

Median disposable income
€28,891per adult, a year, after tax and transfersHigh
Eurostat · 2025
Rent index
24.6New York = 100Very expensiveNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
7.9years of median income to buy a median flatVery affordableNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 64% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 18% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$40K$80K$75,407 PPP$60,496Inflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $36,980 a person, $34,741 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2007, $42,351 a person, $36,914 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2008, $46,379 a person, $38,438 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2009, $42,472 a person, $37,560 at PPP, inflation 0.3%2010, $42,397 a person, $39,714 at PPP, inflation 1.1%2011, $47,631 a person, $43,384 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2012, $44,718 a person, $44,212 at PPP, inflation 2%2013, $47,207 a person, $45,876 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2014, $48,960 a person, $47,928 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2015, $41,930 a person, $48,567 at PPP, inflation 0.5%2016, $42,949 a person, $51,555 at PPP, inflation 0.5%2017, $45,554 a person, $54,143 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2018, $48,916 a person, $56,321 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2019, $47,656 a person, $59,311 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2020, $47,395 a person, $58,705 at PPP, inflation 0.1%2021, $52,349 a person, $62,631 at PPP, inflation 3.1%2022, $50,507 a person, $69,670 at PPP, inflation 6.9%2023, $54,777 a person, $72,262 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2024, $56,104 a person, $73,957 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2025, $60,496 a person, $75,407 at PPP, inflation 2.2%$0$40K$80KInflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $36,980 a person, $34,741 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2007, $42,351 a person, $36,914 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2008, $46,379 a person, $38,438 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2009, $42,472 a person, $37,560 at PPP, inflation 0.3%2010, $42,397 a person, $39,714 at PPP, inflation 1.1%2011, $47,631 a person, $43,384 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2012, $44,718 a person, $44,212 at PPP, inflation 2%2013, $47,207 a person, $45,876 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2014, $48,960 a person, $47,928 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2015, $41,930 a person, $48,567 at PPP, inflation 0.5%2016, $42,949 a person, $51,555 at PPP, inflation 0.5%2017, $45,554 a person, $54,143 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2018, $48,916 a person, $56,321 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2019, $47,656 a person, $59,311 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2020, $47,395 a person, $58,705 at PPP, inflation 0.1%2021, $52,349 a person, $62,631 at PPP, inflation 3.1%2022, $50,507 a person, $69,670 at PPP, inflation 6.9%2023, $54,777 a person, $72,262 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2024, $56,104 a person, $73,957 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2025, $60,496 a person, $75,407 at PPP, inflation 2.2%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the longest-lived countries

Life expectancy
80.8years, at birthVery high
#39 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
87WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100Very highWHO · 2023
Air pollution
8.7PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageLowWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Among the lowest youth unemployment in Europe

Youth unemployment
7.1%share of 15 to 24 year olds in the labour forceVery low
Eurostat · 2025
Home internet
103 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
615EF English Proficiency Index scoreVery highEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet103 MbpsVery fast
Mobile75 MbpsModerate

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Remote work: Freelance (Freiberufler) VisaMedium

No dedicated DNV. KPMG lists 3 pathways: (1) Freelance Freiberufler Visa (liberal professions: IT, journalism, engineering etc. — Federal Employment Agency approval required); (2) Artist Freelancer Visa (same fee/structure); (3) Schengen C-visa (up to 90 days, EUR80 fee, short-stay only). Initial visa up to 1 year; convertible to 3-year freelance residence permit; permanent residency eligibility after 3 years. Travel health insurance required.

Minimum income
No minimum
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
€75about $82
  • Tax treatmentLocal rates apply
  • Processing timeAbout 90 days
  • Health insuranceRequired
  • DependantsAllowed
  • Apply onlineIn person or at a consulate
  • Path to residencyYes
  • NationalitiesOpen to all
Official page
A stunning view of Berlin's historic cityscape featuring the Berlin Cathedral and TV Tower at sunset.
How it changed

Germany's Human Development Index

0.959Very high human development

5th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 5th of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #2Switzerland0.970
  2. #4Denmark0.962
  3. #5Germany0.959
  4. #5Sweden0.959
  5. #7Australia0.958
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.834 in 1990 to 0.959 in 2023.

0.800.901.000.95919902000201020231990: 0.8341991: 0.8411992: 0.8491993: 0.8591994: 0.8651995: 0.8701996: 0.8751997: 0.8811998: 0.8871999: 0.8922000: 0.8972001: 0.9042002: 0.9092003: 0.9142004: 0.9232005: 0.9232006: 0.9272007: 0.9312008: 0.9332009: 0.9332010: 0.9362011: 0.9422012: 0.9442013: 0.9452014: 0.9492015: 0.9482016: 0.9492017: 0.9512018: 0.9522019: 0.9572020: 0.9552021: 0.9582022: 0.9552023: 0.9590.800.901.0019902000201020231990: 0.8341991: 0.8411992: 0.8491993: 0.8591994: 0.8651995: 0.8701996: 0.8751997: 0.8811998: 0.8871999: 0.8922000: 0.8972001: 0.9042002: 0.9092003: 0.9142004: 0.9232005: 0.9232006: 0.9272007: 0.9312008: 0.9332009: 0.9332010: 0.9362011: 0.9422012: 0.9442013: 0.9452014: 0.9492015: 0.9482016: 0.9492017: 0.9512018: 0.9522019: 0.9572020: 0.9552021: 0.9582022: 0.9552023: 0.959

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
80.8 years2024at birthUp 1.9 years from 78.9 years in 2005
Internet users
94%2024of people onlineUp 21 points from 72% in 2006
Urban population
82%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 2 points from 80% in 2006
Births per woman
1.362024births per womanUp 0.02 from 1.34 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
18%2021of energy usedUp 11 points from 6% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
32024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 1 from 4 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
6.9 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 3.3 t from 10.2 t in 2005
Forest area
33%2023of land under forestLevel with 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Europe's economic engine, with a strong job market and excellent public services. The case for living here is peace, long lives and low youth unemployment for Europe. The case against is a high cost of living.

About Germany

Germany is a Central European country that combines industrial precision with deep romantic traditions, from the medieval towns of Bavaria and the dramatic Rhine Valley to the experimental culture of Berlin and the philosophical heritage of cities like Heidelberg and Weimar. The country takes its forests, its festivals, and its food seriously, and the quality of public life, transport, and civic organisation is among the highest in the world. Those who expect warmth upfront may need patience, but the culture rewards effort.

Practical facts

  • CapitalBerlin
  • LanguagesGerman
  • Currencyeuro (EUR)
  • Area349,430 km²
  • Plug typeType C/F
  • Drives on theright
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Borders

AustriaBelgiumCzechiaDenmarkFranceLuxembourgNetherlandsPolandSwitzerland

Side by side

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Quick answers

What is Germany's Human Development Index?

Germany's Human Development Index is 0.959 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #5 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Germany safe?

Germany scores 1.66 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #28 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Germany?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Germany at 68.7 (New York = 100); that is #128 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Germany?

Life expectancy at birth in Germany is 80.8 yrs (World Bank), ranked #39 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Germany?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Germany at 196.3, ranked #8 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.