Our figure of the month
In today's information age we are surrounded by an almost infinite amount of data. Each month, the GWS-WiSo-team selects a particularly interesting economic and/or social topic or question from the multitude of available information, which is highlighted as the "number of the month". The current number as well as the earlier numbers of the month can be found here.
Trade and trade barriers – a look at India and Germany
The current trade policy challenges, particularly with regard to trade with the USA, are intensifying the call for the rapid ratification or conclusion of free trade agreements. Due to its rapid economic development and large population,…
Tomorrow's innovations: expenditure on research and development
Research and development (R&D) and thus innovation promote growth and therefore the competitiveness of a country. With this in mind, the EU's Lisbon Strategy has already set the target of increasing R&D expenditure to 3% of gross domestic…
Will greater affordability boost home ownership?
Germany ranks last in Europe in terms of home ownership. Well over half of Germans live in rented accommodation although most Germans would like to live in their property.[1] The low supply of living space and the high price level for…
Number of people in need of care in Germany more than doubles within 10 years
The latest figures from the care statistics show that there will be around 5.69 million people in need of care in Germany in 2023, a huge increase on previous years. People in need of care include all those who receive benefits from…
Expansion of production capacities for green hydrogen is lagging behind
In the update of the National Hydrogen Strategy, the target of 10 GW of electrolysis capacity for the production of green hydrogen by 2030 was confirmed [1]. However, according to the IEA's hydrogen project database as of October 2024,…
Is online retail making a comeback?
After more than a decade of sustained dynamic growth and additional impetus in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, growth in online retail came to a standstill in 2022. While the pandemic brought the industry growth rates of over 40%…
White Wine with the Fish!
Every year on New Year's Eve, millions of households sit in front of the television and watch ‘Dinner for One’. And fish is always on the table. When families and friends turn to dinner after watching TV, there really is fish on the table…
Festive price differences: Christmas visits to neighboring countries
Christmas shopping in Paris or Prague, skiing in Switzerland or Austria, enjoying the stormy coast in Denmark or the Netherlands. All those are great activities for the Christmas season. Whether you want to get in the mood in the run-up…
Patent applications in Germany on the rise again
In 2023, the number of patent applications in Germany rose again slightly after declining since 2020. A total of 58,656 applications were filed with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) in 2023, around 1,400 more than in the…
42% – the market share of German wines reaches an all-time low
The market share of German wines has fallen to 42% - a historic low that points to challenges that are becoming increasingly existential. Due to rising production costs and a change in consumer behaviour, consumers are increasingly…