Germany and France, two of Europe’s largest and most influential nations, often draw comparisons. But just How Big Is Germany Compared To France? This article delves into a detailed comparison, examining various factors beyond simple landmass to provide a comprehensive understanding of their relative sizes.
Size Matters: Land Area and Population
While often perceived as larger, Germany is actually smaller than France in terms of land area. Metropolitan France spans 213,010 square miles, while Germany covers 137,847 square miles, making France significantly larger geographically.
However, Germany boasts a larger population. In 2016, Germany’s population reached 82,175,684, surpassing France’s 66,990,826 inhabitants in January 2017. This translates to Germany holding 16.1% of the EU population compared to France’s 13.1%. Germany also has a higher population density of 228.6 people per square kilometer, contrasting with France’s 105.3.
Economic Powerhouse: GDP and Trade
Germany’s per capita GDP in 2016 was higher at EUR 34,500 compared to France’s EUR 31,800. This economic strength is reflected in Germany’s significantly higher export turnover of EUR 1,209,623.80 million in 2016, dwarfing France’s EUR 452,820.80 million. While both countries primarily trade within the EU, France holds a slightly larger share of exports to EU countries at 59.4% compared to Germany’s 58.5%. A similar trend is observed in imports, with Germany importing more overall but France showing a higher percentage of imports from within the EU.
Interestingly, Germany boasts a positive trade balance of EUR 256,526.50 million, while France recorded a negative balance of EUR -64,654.80 million in 2016. Germany also leads in Research and Development expenditure, with 2.87% of its GDP dedicated to R&D compared to France’s 2.23%.
Social Indicators: Education and Employment
France invests more heavily in education, allocating 5.68% of its GDP to public education expenditure in 2011 compared to Germany’s 4.98%. However, Germany exhibits a higher employment rate for graduates at 90.2% in 2016, surpassing France’s 71.7%. Germany also had a lower unemployment rate of 2.8% in 2016, compared to France’s 6.1%. Furthermore, Germany experienced a higher influx of asylum seekers in 2016, attracting 745,155 applicants compared to France’s 84,270, potentially influenced by its stronger economy.
Infrastructure: Transportation Networks
Germany possesses a more extensive transportation infrastructure, boasting 23,472 miles of railway lines in 2014 compared to France’s 18,012 miles in 2015. This translates to a higher volume of goods transported by rail in Germany. A similar pattern emerges in roadway infrastructure, with Germany having more extensive motorways and consequently transporting a larger tonnage of goods by road.
Agricultural Output: A French Advantage
While Germany generally leads in economic indicators, France outperforms in agricultural Gross Value Added. In 2016, France’s agricultural industry generated EUR 25,554.31 million, significantly surpassing Germany’s EUR 13,550.26 million. France also leads in bovine meat production, while Germany produces more cow milk. In fisheries, France boasts a larger live catch, but Germany leads in aquaculture production.
Tourism: A Popular Destination
Germany attracts more tourists than France, with 247,875,946 visitors in 2015 compared to France’s 199,156,667. However, the average tourist expenditure is higher in Germany.
Conclusion: A Multifaceted Comparison
The question of “how big is Germany compared to France?” doesn’t have a simple answer. While France is geographically larger, Germany has a larger population and a stronger economy in many aspects. France excels in agriculture, while Germany leads in infrastructure and attracts more tourists. Ultimately, the “bigger” country depends on the specific criteria being considered. This multifaceted comparison highlights the unique strengths and characteristics of each nation.
