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North Rhine-Westphalia lies in the heart of Europe and borders on the Netherlands and Belgium. It is both the most populous and the most densely populated of the 16 federal states in Germany. 18 million people live on an area of 34,086 square kilometers (529 inhabitants/sq. km) almost exactly as many as in New York State, Australia or Taiwan, and more than in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czechia, Hungary or Sweden.
Familiarize yourself with your future location, North Rhine-Westphalia. We have put together some of the best arguments in favor of your location decision.
Metropolitan area in the heart of Europe
NRW lies at the center of Europe and borders on the Netherlands and Belgium. It is the most populous and the most densely populated of the 16 federal states in Germany. Almost exactly as many people live here as in Australia, and the state is more densely populated than Japan. NRW has 30 cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. The largest cities are Cologne, Dortmund, Essen, Düsseldorf, and Duisburg. The most important metropolitan areas are the Ruhr region with approx. 5.4 million inhabitants and the Rhineland with 3.5 million inhabitants.
Purchasing power
Almost 150 million people live within about a 500-kilomenter radius of the state capital, Düsseldorf. This represents 1/3 of all consumers and 45 % of the purchasing power in the EU. The inhabitants of NRW alone spend EUR 314 billion on private consumption every year.
Europe's densest transport infrastructure
Every day, more than 400 international direct flights depart from 7 airports in NRW. All of Europe's major cities can be reached in a maximum of 3 hours by air. A tight road, rail and waterway network ensures good connections all over the world. Handling 100 million tons of goods per year, Duisburg is the world's largest inland port.
The economic center of Germany
In 2007 NRW earns EUR 529.4 billion, 21.8 % of the German GDP, putting it clearly at the top of all German federal states. Internationally, in 2007 NRW takes 17th immediately after the Netherlands. NRW generates 4.3 % of the European GDP (EU-27). 25 of the 50 largest German companies are based here (e.g. E.ON, Deutsche Telekom, Deutsche Post World Net, Metro, ThyssenKrupp, RWE, Rewe group, Bayer, Bertelsmann).
Strongest industrial region in Europe
NRW is Germany's leading chemical location (Lanxes, Evonik Industries, Henkel, and Cognis). The biggest industrial employer is mechanical engineering with more than 207,000 employees (ThyssenKrupp, GEA, SMS). NRW is the most important steel location in Europe (ThyssenKrupp, Benteler, Hydro Aluminium). The state is Europe's no. 1 energy region: about a third of German electricity is produced and almost 30 % of the total energy required in Germany is consumed here (RWE, E.ON, Ruhrgas, RAG).
Strong industry offers good environment for service providers
70 % of the region's economic output is generated by service providers. 6,4 million people work in this sector. The industry-related service providers play a particularly important role.
Europe's largest sales and sourcing market
18 percent of German exports are "Made in NRW". As an independent exporting nation, NRW would occupy 18th place in the world almost level with Spain and Taiwan. More than 23 percent of all German imports go to NRW. 18 of the 50 largest German trading companies are based here (Metro, Rewe, Aldi).
The biggest trade fair location in the world
With Cologne, Düsseldorf, Essen and Dortmund, NRW is the world's number one trade fair location. More than 60 internationally leading trade fairs such as anuga, photokina, MEDICA, drupa, E-world energy & water and boot attract approx. 6 million visitors every year.
Large qualified labor potential
NRW has 59 universities and technical colleges and nearly 463,000 students. 6 of the 12 largest universities in Germany are located here. 57,600 foreigners study at institutes of higher education in North Rhine-Westphalia.
R&D location of world renown
Nearly 50 technology centers and 60 non-university research facilities form the densest research network in Europe and provide ideal conditions for technology transfer.
High quality of life
Renowned theaters and museums, 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sports events and cultural festivals in NRW are known internationally. Two of the nine 3-star-restaurants in Germany are to be found in NRW. The Eifel national park is just one of many popular leisure destinations.
Comparatively low-priced commercial premises
NRW has many excellent commercial premises near economic centers at internationally competitive prices.
Germany's most coveted investment location
28,5 % of all foreign investments are concentrated in NRW (EUR 167,6 billion). More than 10,500 foreign companies from the most important investor countries control their German or European operations from NRW (3M, BP, Ericsson, Ford, LG Electronics, QVC and Toyota).
Sources: NRW.INVEST GmbH, LDS NRW, Federal Statistical Office, Deutsche Bundesbank, Statistical Eurostat
