751-Sabar Institute Of Management, Tajpur - Gujarat Technological ...

2.3 Social Environment
High Human Development Index ranking 9 th in the world 2011
Strong healthcare and education expenditure
Increasing labor productivity (1.6% growth in 2011)
Inadequately educated workforce as problematic factor for doing business according to
GCR (2012)
Overall lacking behind in higher education and training compared to other advanced
economies (ranked 28 th according to WEF, 2012)
Aging and decreasing population (2011: 31.1% of the population between age of 40-60;
26.6% above 60)
Growing social divide (considerable number of working poor)
Ethnic discrimination (pointed out by UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights)
Germany has about 82 million inhabitants. It is by far the largest country in the EU in terms of
population. Germany is a modern, cosmopolitan country. Its society is shaped by a plurality of
life styles and truly different ethno-cultural diversity. Forms of coexistence have become more
varied, and the scope individuals enjoy has become greater. Here we have such factors which
elaborate the social environment of the Germany is as under. Germany has an elaborate network
of social security systems (pension, health, healthcare and unemployment insurance), financed in
equal measure by employees and employers alike almost all the German population is covered
by health insurance. With spending on health totalling 10.4% (of the GDP) Germany is above the
OECD average of 8.9%. It is by far the largest country in the EU in terms of population.
Germany is a modern, cosmopolitan country. Its society is shaped by a plurality of life styles and
truly different ethno-cultural diversity. Forms of coexistence have become more varied, and the
scope individuals enjoy has become greater. Traditional gender roles have been dispensed with.
Despite the social chang- es, the family remains the most important social reference unit and
young people have very close bonds with their parents.
Language
German is used as the official language of Germany and of Austria. Historically, German falls
into three main periods: Old German (c. 750-c. 1050); Middle German (c.1050- c.1500); and
Modern German (c.1500 to the present).
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