114 | 115
SOCIETY
SOCIETY
Enriching Diversity ∙ Shaping Immigration ∙
Diverse Living Arrangements ∙ Committed Civil Society ∙ Strong Welfare State ∙
Leisure Time and Travel ∙ Freedom of Religious Worship
INSIGHT
ENRICHING DIVERSITY
With some 81.2 million inhabitants, Germa-
on the image of 50 countries, Germany tops
ny is the most populous nation in the Euro-
the scale – also owing to its high values in the
pean Union. The modern, cosmopolitan
areas of quality of life and social justice. Ger-
country has developed into an important
many considers itself a welfare state, whose
immigration country. A good 16.4 million
primary task is to protect all its citizens.
people in Germany have a migratory background. Germany is now among those na-
New ways of life are
tions with the most liberal immigration
changing the society
rules. According to a 2014 study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
German society is shaped by a pluralism of
Development (OECD), it is the most popular
lifestyles and ethno-cultural diversity. New
immigration country after the USA.
ways of life and everyday realities are changing daily life in society. Immigrants enrich
Most people in Germany have a high stand-
the country with new perspectives and ex-
ard of living, on an international compar-
periences. There is great social openness and
ison, and the corresponding freedom to shape
acceptance as regards alternative ways of
their own lives. The United Nations’ Human
life and different sexual orientations. Ad-
Development Index (HDI) 2014 ranks Germa-
vances are being made in terms of gender
ny sixth of 187 countries. In the Nation
equality and traditional gender role assign-
Brands Index 2014, an international survey
ments are no longer rigid. People with dis-