Cologne Business Guide.indd

Cologne Business Guide
A Dynamic Centre of Business and Industry
Cologne defies the process of demographic change and can
look forward to growing population figures – according to
the results of a population forecast for 2025 published by the
Bertelsmann Stiftung. According to its figures, in the next
few years, above all, the number of births and the number
of children of primary school age will increase in Cologne.
Another locational advantage of the cathedral city: a young
population offers optimal potential for companies interested
in a qualified, age-diversified workforce.
Population (on 31.12.2008)
– Total 1,019,328
– German nationals 846,084
– Foreign nationals 173,244
Employees subject to social security contributions
(on 30.06.2008)
– Total 456,912
– Women 205,026
– Men 251,886
– German nationals 407,898
– Foreign nationals 48,774
– Unemployment rate (Jan. 2009) 10.5 percent
Work Force by Sectors
Total (on 30.06.2008) 456,912
I. Production Sector 81,346
– Industry total 60,670
· Food 5,778
· Printing 6,677
· Chemichal Industry 3,810
· Mechanical engineering 4,599
· Elektrical engineering 1,559
· Motor Industry 22,268
– Gas and water supply 3,879
– Construction 15,267
II. Service Sector 375,566
– Trade 71,262
– Guest business, catering 15,572
– Transport and communication 34,807
– Banking 13,586
– Insurances 26,709
– Data processing 11,574
– Professional services 71,242
– Further Services 202,056
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Cologne: Germany’s fourth-largest city is located at the heart of a
promising market on a European scale. Within a radius of just 100
kilometres of Cologne, around 17 million people live, more than
in practically all the other metropolises of Europe. As a transport
hub, Cologne does justice to the requirements of a dynamic and
international business sector. All four means of transport – road,
rail, air and water – ensure centrality, perfect logistics and unique
traffic connections to all parts of Europe.
Key features of Cologne’s economy are its dynamic diversity of
business sectors and its well-balanced structure in terms of size
of company. This secures growth and employment irrespective of
economic developments. About 83 percent of the total of 454,000
persons employed in Cologne work in the service sector, but nevertheless,
industry continues to play a central role in Cologne. An
excellent university landscape as well as sound on-the-job training
ensures the quality of young talent. And the latest forecasts
confirm further growth in Cologne’s population up to 2025 – an
additional indication of the attractiveness of the city and the economic
basis for future investments.
Cologne’s property market reflects the strength and the dynamics
of the economic location. With record figures for new lettings,
Cologne has established itself in the leading group of commercial
property locations. The Mipim Award 2009 for the “Kranhaus1” in
the model urban development project in the Rheinauhafen highlights
this trend. Tourism and the retail trade also benefit from the
strengths of the cathedral city. Thus the top addresses in Cologne’s
city centre have established themselves as German pilot markets
for international chains and a European survey of pedestrian traffic
rates Cologne Schildergasse as No. 1 among the most heavilyfrequented
shopping streets in Europe.
Investing in Cologne is worthwhile – whether in the city centre, in
the commercial estates around the centre or close to the airport:
on request, Cologne’s Office of Economic Development can help
you find suitable property and provides support for businessmen
on all questions of investment or settlement.