Dynamic business location in the center of Europe
This is where the heart of the economy beats: NRW is the most populous state in Germany. With its 17.9 million inhabitants, there are more people living here than in the neighboring Netherlands. At around 691.5 billion euros, they generate more than one-fifth of the total German gross domestic product. If NRW were a country in its own right, it would rank 22th internationally ahead of Sweden, Poland and Belgium. Some 160 million people live within a radius of 500 kilometers (311 miles) around the state capital Düsseldorf. No other European metropolitan region possesses such purchasing power.
At the forefront of all German states
At 691.5 billion euros, NRW generates 21.2 percent of the German GDP. This puts the state clearly ahead of all the other federal states. In 2016, the GDP per capita stood at 37,416 euros and per employed person on average at 73,385 euros in 2017.
Europe's largest sales and procurement market
NRW is also a convincing business location when compared internationally. The federal state accounts for 4.5 percent of the European GDP (EU-28), making it one of the most important economic regions in Europe. In the international ranking, North Rhine-Westphalia is ahead of other European countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, Poland and Belgium.
Huge market potential
From no other location in Europe is it possible to reach so many people with such high purchasing power within such short distances as from NRW: Around 160 million people with a purchasing power of 3,457,053 million euros live within a radius of 500 km around the state capital Düsseldorf.
The excellent infrastructure, the central location and the high qualifications of the people make North Rhine-Westphalia an economic power of international standing. In terms of numerous economic statistics, NRW is world class.
