Germany vs Finland development indicators, 2024

Indicator	Germany, Value	Finland, Value	Germany, Rank	Finland, Rank	Germany as % of Finland
Current account balance (% of GDP)	5.73	0.31	18	50	1,847 %
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)	42.1	41.6	53	59	101 %
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP)	1.02	0.661	73	81	155 %
GDP per capita (current US$)	55,800	53,189	17	21	105 %
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$)	72,300	64,091	18	27	113 %
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)	38.2	40.9	75	70	93.5 %
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)	2.26	1.57	103	125	144 %
Net migration	36,954	26,894	29	32	137 %
Population, total	83,510,950	5,637,214	19	116	1,481 %

Demography and Health

Germany has a birth rate of 8.3 per 1,000 people, which is slightly higher than Finland's rate of 7.8. In contrast, Germany's death rate stands at 12.3 per 1,000, compared to Finland's 11, indicating that Germany has a higher mortality burden. Life expectancy in Germany is 80.5 years, whereas Finland outperforms with an average of 81.7 years. In terms of child health, the infant mortality rate shows Germany at 3.7 per 1,000 live births against Finland's significantly lower figure of 2.3. Furthermore, Germany sees a higher total fertility rate reflected in its demographic structure, supporting a larger population of 83.5 million versus Finland's 5.6 million. The prevalence of undernourishment is consistent at 2.5% in both countries.

Economy

Germany's GDP per capita is $55,800, overshadowing Finland's $53,189. When purchasing power parity (PPP) is considered, Germany again leads with $72,300 against Finland's $64,091. However, Germany faces a slightly higher rate of unemployment at 3.1%, whereas Finland's total unemployment is notably higher at 7.2%. Germany's economic environment reflects a low inflation rate of 2.3%, surpassing Finland's rate of 1.6%. Additionally, research and development expenditures are approximately at 3.1% of GDP in Germany, compared to 3% in Finland, indicating a strong emphasis on innovation in both nations. Germany's military expenditures greatly exceed those of Finland, reaching $66.8 billion compared to Finland's $7.3 billion.

Trade and Investment

In terms of international trade, Germany leads with exports of goods and services accounting for 42.1% of its GDP, closely followed by Finland at 41.6%. Germany's current account balance also demonstrates a healthier state at 5.7% of GDP in contrast to Finland's 0.3%. Notably, high-technology exports are overwhelmingly dominated by Germany, which exceeded $255.7 billion, while Finland's figure stands at a modest $5.3 billion. Foreign direct investment inflows as a percentage of GDP reveal Germany at 1% compared to Finland's 0.7%, reflecting a more favorable investment climate. The logistics performance index scores Germany at an impressive 4.3, while Finland is slightly lower at 4.2, suggesting efficient trade and transport-related infrastructure in both countries.

Governance and Institutions

Germany's governance indicators show room for improvement with a control of corruption score of 1.7, whereas Finland excels with a score of 2.2. Government effectiveness is similarly better in Finland (1.7) compared to Germany (1.2). The political stability in Finland is rated higher with 0.7 compared to Germany's 0.6. Moreover, regulatory quality is rated at 1.5 for Germany and 1.8 for Finland, indicating a more favorable business environment in Finland. The rule of law score also favors Finland at 2 against Germany's 1.6, highlighting the strength of legal institutions in ensuring justice and order.

Infrastructure and Technology

Germany is at the forefront of technological innovation, leading in patent applications with 39,822 versus Finland's 1,557. This points to a robust ecosystem for research and development in Germany. Both countries show comparable performance in terms of logistical efficiency with Germany's logistics performance index being slightly higher at 4.3. The commitment to high-quality infrastructure is essential for facilitating trade and economic growth. Germany's high-technology exports contrast sharply with Finland, reflecting disparities in technological capacity and focus.

Environment and Sustainability

In the realm of sustainability, Germany's renewable energy consumption is significantly lower at 17.6% compared to Finland's impressive 50.2%. This suggests a strong commitment from Finland towards sustainable energy sources. However, Germany's per capita greenhouse gas emissions stand at 8.1 tons, which is marginally higher than Finland's 7.8 tons, indicating more significant environmental pressures. With regards to water stress levels, Germany faces a considerable challenge with freshwater withdrawal at 35.4% compared to Finland's 7.1%, highlighting Finland’s more sustainable water management practices.