North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) - The economic center of Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia is located 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. 17.9 million people live on an area of 34,088 square kilometers (526 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 29 cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. The largest cities are Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Essen 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 316 billion on private consumption every year.

Europe's densest transport infrastructure

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 2008 NRW earns EUR 541.1 billion, 21.7 % of the German GDP, putting it clearly at the top of all German federal states. Internationally, NRW takes 17th immediately after the Netherlands. NRW generates 4.3 % of the European GDP (EU-27). 24 of the 50 largest German companies are based here (e.g. E.ON, Metro, Deutsche Telekom, Deutsche Post DHL, ThyssenKrupp, Rewe, RWE, Deutsche BP, Bayer, Bertelsmann).

Top location for manufacturers and suppliers

NRW is home to large industrial corporations of world standing as well as dozens of smaller companies which are leaders in their respective business fields. The industrial sales in NRW increased in 2008 once again: by 3.4 percent to EUR 366.3 billion – which is 21.1 percent of industrial sales in Germany. 19.6 percent of the employed population of NRW work in the industrial sector.

Strong industry offers good environment for service providers

Nearly 70 % of the region's economic output is generated by service providers. 6,5 million people work in this sector. The industry-related service providers play a particularly important role.Nearly 30 percent of the sales generated in the narrower sense by industry-related service providers in Germany comes from NRW.

Europe's largest sales and sourcing market

17.3 percent of German exports are "Made in NRW". As an independent exporting nation, NRW would occupy 19th place in the world almost level with Spain and Taiwan. 23 percent of all German imports go to NRW. 18 of the 50 largest German trading companies are based here (Metro, Aldi, Rewe).

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 67 universities and technical colleges and nearly 478,500 students. 6 of the 12 largest universities in Germany are located here. 58,000 foreigners study at institutes of higher education in North Rhine-Westphalia.

R&D location of world renown

Nearly 50 technology centers and 56 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

27.7 % of all foreign investments are concentrated in NRW (EUR 175,6 billion). More than 11,500 foreign companies from the most important investor countries control their German or European operations from NRW (3M, BP, Ericsson, Ford, LG Electronics, QVC, Sany, Toyota, Vodafone).


Sources: NRW.INVEST GmbH, IT.NRW, Deutsche Bundesbank, Statistical Eurostat