| STAT | Germany | United States | HISTORY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative divisions | 16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen (Hesse), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen (Thuringia)(Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat) | 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
|
| Capital city > Geographic coordinates | 52 31 N, 13 24 E | 38 53 N, 77 02 W |
|
| Capital city > Name | Berlin | Washington, DC |
|
| Constitution | previous 1919 (Weimar Constitution); latest drafted 10 to 23 August 1948, approved 12 May 1949, promulgated 23 May 1949, entered into force 24 May 1949; amended many times, last in 2012 | previous 1781 (Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union); latest drafted July - September 1787, submitted to the Congress of the Confederation 20 September 1787, submitted for states' ratification 28 September 1787, ratification completed by nine sta |
|
| Executive branch > Cabinet | Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor | Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval |
|
| Executive branch > Chief of state | President Joachim GAUCK (since 23 March 2012) | President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) |
|
| Executive branch > Head of government | Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005) | President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) |
|
| Government type | federal republic | Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition |
|
| International organization participation | ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC | ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, EAPC, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNSC (permanent), UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC |
|
| Judicial branch | Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat); Federal Court of Justice; Federal Administrative Court | Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed to serve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts |
|
| Legal system | civil law system | common law system based on English common law at the federal level; state legal systems based on common law except Louisiana, which is based on Napoleonic civil code; judicial review of legislative acts |
|
| Legislative branch | bicameral legislature consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat | bicameral Congress consists of the Senate |
|
| Political parties and leaders | Alliance '90/Greens [Cem OEZDEMIR]<br />Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]<br />Christian Social Union or CSU [Horst SEEHOFER]<br />Free Democratic Party or FDP [Philipp ROESLER]<br />Left Party or Die Linke [Katia KIPPING and Bernd RIEXINGER]<br />Social Democratic Party or SPD [Sigmar GABRIEL] | Democratic Party [Debbie Wasserman SCHULTZ]<br />Green Party<br />Libertarian Party [Mark HINKLE]<br />Republican Party [Reince PRIEBUS] |
|
| Political pressure groups and leaders | business associations and employers' organizations<br />trade unions; religious, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups | environmentalists; business groups; labor unions; churches; ethnic groups; political action committees or PACs; health groups; education groups; civic groups; youth groups; transportation groups; agricultural groups; veterans groups; women's groups; reform lobbies |
|
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
|
| Country name > Conventional long form | Federal Republic of Germany | United States of America | |
| Executive branch > Elections | president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held on 19 February 2012 (next to be held by June 2017); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Parliament for a four-year term; Federal Parliament vote for Chancellor last held after 22 September 2013 (next to be held September 2017) | president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 November 2012 (next to be held on 8 November 2016) |
|
| National symbol(s) | golden eagle | bald eagle | |
| Flag description | three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these colors have played an important role in German history and can be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field | 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; the blue stands for loyalty, devotion, truth, justice, and friendship; red symbolizes courage, zeal, and fervency, while white denotes purity and rectitude of conduct; commonly referred to by its nickname of Old Glory |
|
| Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days |
14.5
Ranked 103th. 3 times more than United States |
5
Ranked 170th. |
|
| Country name > Conventional short form | Germany | United States | |
| Constitutional form | Republic | Republic | |
| Transnational Issues > Disputes > International | none | the US has intensified domestic security measures and is collaborating closely with its neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across the international borders; abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma ratification; Canada and the United States dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other states; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island; Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution |
|
| National anthem | <strong>name: </strong>"Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN | <strong>name: </strong>"The Star-Spangled Banner"<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH | |
| Legislative branch > Elections | Bundestag - last held on 22 September 2013 (next to be held no later than autumn 2017); most all postwar German governments have been coalitions | Senate - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held on 4 November 2014); House of Representatives - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held on 4 November 2014) |
|
| Legislative branch > Election results | Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 41.5%, SPD 25.7%, Left 8.6%, Greens 8.4%, FDP 4.8%, other 11%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 311, SPD 192, Left 64, Greens 63 | Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 54, Republican Party 45, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 201, Republican Party 234 |
|
| Democracy and rights > Press freedom index |
10.24
Ranked 21st. |
18.22
Ranked 13th. 78% more than Germany |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage |
32.9%
Ranked 26th. 85% more than United States |
17.78%
Ranked 91st. |
|
| Independence | 18 January 1871 (establishment of the German Empire); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed on 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed on 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and East Germany unified on 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights on 15 March 1991; notable earlier dates: 10 August 843 (Eastern Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 2 February 962 (crowning of OTTO I, recognized as the first Holy Roman Emperor) | 4 July 1776 (declared); 3 September 1783 (recognized by Great Britain) |
|
| Executive branch > Election results | Joachim GAUCK elected president; received 991 votes of the Federal Convention against 126 for Beate KLARSFELD and 3 for Olaf ROSE; Angela MERKEL reelected chancellor; vote by Federal Parliament 323 to 285 with four abstentions | Barack H. OBAMA reelected president; percent of popular vote - Barack H. OBAMA 50.6%, Mitt ROMNEY 47.9%, other 1.5%; |
|
| Judicial branch > Subordinate courts | Federal Administrative Court; Federal Finance Court; Federal Labor Court; Federal Social Court; each of the 16 German states or Land has its own constitutional court and a hierarchy of ordinary (civil, criminal, family) and specialized (administrative, finance, labor, social) courts | Courts of Appeal (includes the US Court of Appeal for the Federal District and 12 regional appeals courts); 94 federal district courts in 50 states and territories | |
| Basis of executive legitimacy | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence | Presidency is independent of legislature | |
| Transnational Issues > Illicit drugs | source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center | world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center | |
| Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press |
17
Ranked 174th. |
18
Ranked 171st. 6% more than Germany |
|
| Corruption > Bribe Payers Index |
8.6
Ranked 6th. 6% more than United States |
8.1
Ranked 8th. |
|
| Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament |
31.8%
Ranked 17th. 2 times more than United States |
15.2%
Ranked 79th. |
|
| Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number |
9
Ranked 39th. 50% more than United States |
6
Ranked 103th. |
|
| Democracy > Civil and political liberties |
5.5
Ranked 17th. |
6
Ranked 6th. 9% more than Germany |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ |
518.82 billion$
Ranked 1st. |
1.84 trillion$
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Germany |
|
| National holiday | Unity Day, 3 October | Independence Day, 4 July (1776) |
|
| Capital > Geographic coordinates | 52 31 N, 13 24 E | 38 53 N, 77 02 W | |
| Democracy > First female parliamentarian | 1919 (elected) | 1917 (elected) | |
| Time required to start a business > Days |
24 days
Ranked 118th. 5 times more than United States |
5 days
Ranked 167th. |
|
| Leaders > President | Joachim Gauck | Barack Obama |
|
| Democracy > Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment |
1
Ranked 25th. 1% more than United States |
0.991
Ranked 52nd. |
|
| Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office | Federal Court of Justice judges selected by the Judges Election Committee, which consists of the Secretaries of Justice from each of the 16 federated States and 16 members appointed by the Federal Parliament; judges appointed by the president of Germany; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Federal Constitutional Court judges - one-half elected by the House of Representatives and one-half by the Senate; judges appointed for 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 68 | president nominates, and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints Supreme Court justices; justices appointed for life | |
| Democracy and rights > Democracy Index |
8.34
Ranked 14th. 3% more than United States |
8.11
Ranked 18th. |
|
| Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient |
4.9
Ranked 24th. 9% more than United States |
4.5
Ranked 43th. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to register property > Days |
40
Ranked 82nd. 3 times more than United States |
12
Ranked 158th. |
|
| Politics | Angela Merkel of the conservative Christian Democrats won a third term as chancellor in 2013 | Barack Obama, America's first black president, was re-elected in November 2012 | |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | withdrew acceptance of compulsory ICJ jurisdiction in 2005; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002 |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by men |
416
Ranked 13th. 17% more than United States |
356
Ranked 21st. |
|
| Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years |
1.2
Ranked 153th. |
1.5
Ranked 144th. 25% more than Germany |
|
| Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million |
0.11
Ranked 163th. 6 times more than United States |
0.0191
Ranked 185th. |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by women |
204
Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than United States |
77
Ranked 27th. |
|
| Leaders > President > Summary | President Joachim Gauck | Barack Obama, the country's first black president | |
| Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel |
None
|
None
|
|
| Democracy > Democratic institutions rating |
10
Ranked 2nd. The same as United States |
10
Ranked 9th. |
|
| UN membership date | 18 Sep. 1973 | 24 Oct. 1945 | |
| Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people |
0.102
Ranked 30th. 4 times more than United States |
0.0258
Ranked 34th. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number |
9
Ranked 163th. |
16
Ranked 60th. 78% more than Germany |
|
| Capital city | Berlin | Washington, DC | |
| Capital > Name | Berlin | Washington, DC | |
| Legal origin | <a href=/country/gm>German</a> | <a href=/encyclopedia/England>English</a> | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita |
6,291.01$
per capita
Ranked 12th. About the same as United States |
6,281.51$
per capita
Ranked 14th. |
|
| Spending > Expense > Current LCU |
717.25 billion
Ranked 25th. |
3.7 trillion
Ranked 1st. 5 times more than Germany |
|
| Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days |
17
Ranked 188th. |
60
Ranked 144th. 4 times more than Germany |
|
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout |
79.1%
Ranked 45th. 24% more than United States |
63.8%
Ranked 101st. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Year women first voted at national level | 1918 | 1920 | |
| Legislature (parliament) > People per member |
118,671
Ranked 23th. |
575,019
Ranked 3rd. 5 times more than Germany |
|
| Capital > Time difference | UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) | UTC-5 (during Standard Time) | |
| International relations | Germany is a major player in Europe and a proponent of European integration. It is the third biggest troop supplier in Afghanistan | The US has a leading role on the world stage, militarily and diplomatically. Its combat troops are set to leave Afghanistan by late 2014 | |
| Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million |
0.208
Ranked 185th. 9% more than United States |
0.191
Ranked 186th. |
|
| Leaders > Head of state > Term limit for head of state |
5
Ranked 35th. 25% more than United States |
4
Ranked 129th. |
|
| Democracy > Female ministers |
35.9%
Ranked 10th. 5 times more than United States |
7.1%
Ranked 92nd. |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members |
622
Ranked 6th. 43% more than United States |
435
Ranked 25th. |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Upper house members |
69
Ranked 34th. |
100
Ranked 24th. 45% more than Germany |
|
| Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days |
394
Ranked 158th. 6% more than United States |
370
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Democracy > Female parliamentarians |
31%
Ranked 8th. 2 times more than United States |
13.8%
Ranked 60th. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number |
5
Ranked 103th. 25% more than United States |
4
Ranked 145th. |
|
| Leaders > President > Profile | <p>Joachim Gauck, a human-rights campaigner and former East German dissident, became president in March 2012. </p> <p>The opposition Social Democrats and Greens nominated him after the resignation of President Christian Wulff in February over a housing loan scandal, and the governing centre-right coaltion parties agreed to support him. </p> <p>Mr Gauck stood for the largely ceremonial presidency in 2010, losing to the government's preferred candidate Mr Wulff. </p> <p>Mr Gauck, like the Christian Democrat chancellor, Angela Merkel, has a background in the Lutheran Church in East Germany - he was a pastor there, as was Mrs Merkel's father. </p> <p>An active anti-Communist from an early age whose father was exiled to a Soviet forced-labour camp for several years, Mr Gauck was a leader of the opposition New Forum in the last days of the East German dictatorship. </p> <p>He served in the first and last democratic East German parliament, which put him in charge of investigating the archives of the Stasi secret police. </p> <p>He continued this task after the reunification of Germany, earning the admiration of all but diehard Communists for his work in exposing the crimes of the Communist era. </p> <p>Mr Gauck describes himself as a "liberal left conservative", and has expressed support for the policies of both Social-Democrat and Christian-Democrat coalition governments on a non-partisan basis. </p> <p>In recent years he has concentrated on campaigning against both left and right extremist threats to Germany's democratic system. </p> <p>Born in Rostock in 1940, Mr Gauck has four children by his wife, from whom he is separated. His partner since 2000 is the journalist Daniela Schadt, who will take on the ceremonial duties of First Lady. </p> | <p>Barack Obama, a Democrat and America's first black president, was re-elected for a second term in November 2012 after a bitterly-fought campaign against Republican challenger Mitt Romney.</p> <p>The Democrats kept control of the Senate and the Republicans remained in control of the House of Representatives, leading to political gridlock in Congress on the budget in late 2013.</p> <p>The campaign focused on the ailing US economy. In his inaugural speech in January 2013, Mr Obama called on Democrats and Republicans to work together to sustain the country's fragile economic recovery. He also pledged an end to "ten years of war", signalling the departure of US troops from Afghanistan in 2014.</p> <p>First term challenges</p> <p>The worst economic crisis in the US since the Great Depression of the 1930s dominated much of Mr Obama's first term. The president pursued an aggressive policy of economic stimulus, including bail-outs of major car makers.</p> <p>He made reform of the healthcare system to extend coverage and reduce ballooning costs one of his top domestic priorities.</p> <p>Despite a tortuous drafting process and vociferous Republican opposition, Mr Obama and Democrats in Congress finally succeeded in passing a health care bill in March 2010.</p> <p>However, the health reform, along with the $787bn stimulus package passed in February 2010 to shore up an ailing economy, galvanised opposition among opponents to Mr Obama's agenda.</p> <p>The American Right in particular worried about what it saw as moves to extend the role of the state in the economy, and the threat of excessive public debt.</p> <p>Tea Party boost for Republicans</span> <p>The rise of the conservative Tea Party movement in 2009 re-energised the Republicans and helped them to capitalise on popular discontent at the slow pace of America's economic recovery.</p> <p>The Republicans made sweeping gains in mid-term elections in November 2010, regaining control of the House of Representatives.</p> <p>In autumn 2011 anti-capitalist protestors took to the streets of major cities, marching under the slogan "Occupy Wall Street", against "corporate greed" and increasing government debt. The protests inspired marches in other cities worldwide in October 2011.</p> <p>Bin Laden operation</span> <p>In May 2011, Mr Obama was widely applauded domestically - including by the Right - for his decision to order the operation that killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. </p> <p>Barack Obama was born in 1961 in Hawaii, the son of a black Kenyan father and a white American mother. After attending an elite Hawaiian academy and Columbia University in New York, he went on to Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1991.</p> <p>Mr Obama practiced law and did community work in Chicago, where he also became active in the Democratic Party. He won a seat in the Illinois state senate in 1996, and followed this up by winning a US Senate seat in 2004.</p> <p>He emphatic victory over his opponent John McCain in the 2008 presidential election ended eight years of Republican rule in the White House.</p> <p>Mr Obama ran for president on a ticket promising change, and came to office riding a wave of high expectations from his supporters, both at home and abroad.</p> <p>He is widely acknowledged to be a charismatic figure and is noted for his stirring oratory. </p> | |
| Role of head of state | Ceremonial | Executive | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita |
6,291.01$
Ranked 12th. |
6,299.75$
Ranked 14th. About the same as Germany |
|
| Start-up procedures to register a business > Number |
9
Ranked 82nd. 80% more than United States |
5
Ranked 154th. |
|
| Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong |
7
Ranked 41st. |
8
Ranked 27th. 14% more than Germany |
|
| Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million |
0.0598
Ranked 124th. 4 times more than United States |
0.0143
Ranked 141st. |
|
| Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU |
39.56 billion
Ranked 43th. |
399.42 billion
Ranked 14th. 10 times more than Germany |
|
| Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU |
581.96 billion
Ranked 16th. |
2.56 trillion
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Germany |
|
| Foreign relations > Comprehensive National Power |
61.93
Ranked 5th. |
90.62
Ranked 1st. 46% more than Germany |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP |
0.186$
per $1 of GDP
Ranked 43th. 18% more than United States |
0.158$
per $1 of GDP
Ranked 76th. |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by women per million people |
2.51
Ranked 111th. 10 times more than United States |
0.243
Ranked 175th. |
|
| Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment | April 4, 1958 | April 25, 1947 | |
| Democracy > Female suffrage | 1918 | "1920 ,1960" | |
| Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days |
97
Ranked 149th. 7% more than United States |
91
Ranked 157th. |
|
| Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Syrian National Council | Verbal support Rejection of Assad government Informal relations | Recognised on 5 December 2011 (as legitimate representative) | |
| Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million |
0.366
Ranked 176th. 4 times more than United States |
0.102
Ranked 185th. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million |
0.177
Ranked 169th. 11 times more than United States |
0.0159
Ranked 188th. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million |
0.488
Ranked 152nd. 13 times more than United States |
0.0382
Ranked 181st. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million |
1.18
Ranked 175th. 4 times more than United States |
0.29
Ranked 183th. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million |
0.11
Ranked 173th. 2 times more than United States |
0.051
Ranked 182nd. |
|
| Capital > Daylight saving time | +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October | +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November | |
| Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU |
41.34 billion
Ranked 27th. |
270.49 billion
Ranked 1st. 7 times more than Germany |
|
| Democracy and rights > Major left wing party | Social Democratic Party | Democratic Party | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita |
4,402.8 constant 2000 US$
per c
Ranked 13th. |
5,464.23 constant 2000 US$
per c
Ranked 8th. 24% more than Germany |
|
| Time required to build a warehouse > Days |
133 days
Ranked 128th. 93% more than United States |
69 days
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Failed States Index |
29.7
Ranked 20th. |
33.5
Ranked 14th. 13% more than Germany |
|
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population |
66.31 million
Ranked 8th. |
213.95 million
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Germany |
|
| Democracy > Female candidacy |
1,918
Ranked 145th. 7% more than United States |
1,788
Ranked 161st. |
|
| Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita |
0.041
per 1,000 people
Ranked 45th. |
0.092
per 1,000 people
Ranked 35th. 2 times more than Germany |
|
| Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000 |
0.0405
Ranked 46th. |
0.0922
Ranked 35th. 2 times more than Germany |
|
| Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment | January 15, 1992 | August 11, 1992 | |
| National anthem > Name | "Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans) | "The Star-Spangled Banner" | |
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote |
48.58 million
Ranked 8th. |
99.74 million
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Germany |
|
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration |
61.43 million
Ranked 9th. |
156.42 million
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Germany |
|
| Time required to enforce a contract > Days |
394 days
Ranked 113th. 31% more than United States |
300 days
Ranked 136th. |
|
| Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita |
0.109
per 1 million people
Ranked 154th. 6 times more than United States |
0.017
per 1 million people
Ranked 168th. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Electoral system | PR (MMP) | FPTP | |
| Procedures to register property > Number |
4
Ranked 127th. The same as United States |
4
Ranked 131st. |
|
| Procedures to build a warehouse > Number |
11
Ranked 149th. |
18
Ranked 67th. 64% more than Germany |
|
| Democracy and rights > Party system | Multi | Two | |
| Democracy and rights > Structure | Parliamentary | Presidential | |
| Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million |
0.109
Ranked 154th. 7 times more than United States |
0.0168
Ranked 167th. |
|
| Foreign relations > International recognition of the Syrian National Council notes | In a 6 August 2011 interview, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle remarked that "I don't believe that Assad has a political future ahead of him which is supported by the Syrian people". The German foreign ministry is reportedly in talks with the Syrian opposition. In November 2011, a Syrian National Council delegation met with Westerwelle and other high level foreign policy decision makers to brief them on developments in Syria. Westerwelle said "we cannot remain quiet to the human rights violations in Syria.\u201d He then lauded the efforts of the National Council and discussed future cooperation with the SNC regarding the transition phase to democracy. | The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton , deemed the Syrian National Council as a \u201cleading and legitimate representative of Syrians seeking a peaceful democratic transition,\u201d and that the United States was \u201ccommitted to helping... make this transition.\u201d | |
| Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo |
None
|
None
|
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament |
691
Ranked 10th. 29% more than United States |
535
Ranked 25th. |
|
| Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue |
5.81%
Ranked 39th. |
11.93%
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Germany |
|
| Democracy and rights > Next election | September 2017 | November 2016 | |
| Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense |
81.14%
Ranked 1st. 17% more than United States |
69.14%
Ranked 1st. |
|
| Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > % |
36.5%
Ranked 20th. 2 times more than United States |
17.9%
Ranked 97th. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million |
4.81
Ranked 176th. 4 times more than United States |
1.18
Ranked 185th. |
|
| Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours |
105 hours
Ranked 146th. |
325 hours
Ranked 54th. 3 times more than Germany |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ |
363.1 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 1st. |
1.6 trillion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Germany |
|
| Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita |
0.049
per 1 million people
Ranked 155th. 4 times more than United States |
0.013
per 1 million people
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita |
0.364
per 1 million people
Ranked 154th. 6 times more than United States |
0.057
per 1 million people
Ranked 167th. |
|
| Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU |
36.2 billion
Ranked 38th. |
518.29 billion
Ranked 9th. 14 times more than Germany |
|
| Republic establishment date | November 9, 1918 | September 3, 1783 | |
| National anthem > Note | adopted 1922, restored 1990; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was abolished in 1945 because of the Nazi's use of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland uber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism; since restoration in 1990, only the third verse is sung | adopted 1931; during the War of 1812, after witnessing the successful American defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore following British naval bombardment, Francis Scott KEY wrote the lyrics to what would become the national anthem; the lyrics were set to the tune of "The Anacreontic Song;" only the first verse is sung | |
| Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number |
30
Ranked 164th. |
32
Ranked 154th. 7% more than Germany |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million |
0.0611
Ranked 172nd. 5 times more than United States |
0.0127
Ranked 181st. |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU | 394104700000 | 1604600000000 |
|
| Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense |
5.05%
Ranked 83th. |
15.67%
Ranked 32nd. 3 times more than Germany |
|
| Spending > Other expense > Current LCU |
26.66 billion
Ranked 31st. |
995.12 billion
Ranked 1st. 37 times more than Germany |
|
| Time to resolve insolvency > Years |
1.2 years
Ranked 132nd. |
1.5 years
Ranked 127th. 25% more than Germany |
|
| Trademarks > Residents per million |
758.35
Ranked 17th. 4% more than United States |
729.14
Ranked 18th. |
|
| Ruling party | Christian Democrat | Democratic | |
| Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million |
0.134
Ranked 156th. 2 times more than United States |
0.0603
Ranked 164th. |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth |
0.1%
Ranked 101st. |
2.5%
Ranked 70th. 25 times more than Germany |
|
| Time required to register property > Days |
40 days
Ranked 100th. 3 times more than United States |
12 days
Ranked 145th. |
|
| Trademarks > Nonresidents |
3,342
Ranked 16th. |
26,988
Ranked 2nd. 8 times more than Germany |
|
| Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review? | Yes | Yes | |
| Democracy and rights > Strongly federal? | Yes | Yes | |
| Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million |
0.364
Ranked 153th. 6 times more than United States |
0.057
Ranked 166th. |
|
| Spending > Expense > % of GDP |
28.74%
Ranked 46th. 11% more than United States |
25.94%
Ranked 2nd. |
|
| Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense |
5.52%
Ranked 87th. |
12.08%
Ranked 75th. 2 times more than Germany |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by men per million people |
5.13
Ranked 158th. 5 times more than United States |
1.12
Ranked 185th. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Last election | September 2013 | November 2012 | |
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000 |
803.47
Ranked 11th. 9% more than United States |
737.5
Ranked 40th. |
|
| Procedures to enforce a contract > Number |
30
Ranked 98th. 76% more than United States |
17
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia | Chancellor Angela Merkel said, "this contradicts the principle of territorial integrity, a principle based on the international law of nations and for this reason it is unacceptable". | President George W. Bush condemned the actions taken by Russia and called on them to "reconsider this irresponsible decision." Bush then stated that in "accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions that remain in force, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are within the internationally recognised borders of Georgia, and they must remain so." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also said the decision made by Russia was "regrettable" and further stated that since "the United States is a permanent member of the Security Council this simply will be dead on arrival in the Security Council." United States President George W. Bush acknowledged the ceasefire accord brokered by the French President and President of the European Council , Nicolas Sarkozy . The accord was signed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 12 August 2008 Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). | |
| Democracy and rights > Major right wing party | Christian Democratic Union | Republican Party | |
| Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral? | Yes | Yes | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU | 417180000000 | 1844600000000 |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members |
4
Ranked 107th. Twice as much as United States |
2
Ranked 183th. |
|
| Trademarks > Residents |
62,576
Ranked 5th. |
213,495
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Germany |
|
| Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita |
0.133
per 1 million people
Ranked 157th. 2 times more than United States |
0.06
per 1 million people
Ranked 165th. |
|
| Capital city > Time difference | UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) | UTC-5 (during Standard Time) |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita |
4,402.8 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 13th. |
5,480.09 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 8th. 24% more than Germany |
|
| Trademarks > Residents > Per capita |
0.758
per 1,000 people
Ranked 17th. 4% more than United States |
0.727
per 1,000 people
Ranked 18th. |
|
| Spending > Interest payments > % of expense |
5.76%
Ranked 39th. |
7.31%
Ranked 3rd. 27% more than Germany |
|
| Spending > Other expense > % of expense |
3.72%
Ranked 60th. |
26.91%
Ranked 1st. 7 times more than Germany |
|
| Procedures to register property > Number per million |
0.0486
Ranked 154th. 4 times more than United States |
0.0134
Ranked 163th. |
|
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