Aging Population
One of the main current issues in Germany is its aging population. With its birth rate of 8.33 births/1000 and a fertility rate of 1.41 children per woman (one of the highest in the world) the German population is greatly decreasing. By 2060 it is even expected that the number of people aged 65+ will increase by 12%. Furthermore, the population of the working class is expected to drop by as much as 34% by 2060, forcing greater immigration. Additionally, its death rate is one of the highest, evidencing that people over 65 will make up the majority in Germany’s future.
The German government largely contributes to solving issues concerning Germany’s aging population. Firstly, it encourages parents to have more than two children, by providing them with money known as “Kindergeld” (Children money). For the first and second child, parents receive approximately €184, and the price increases up to €215 for the fourth child per month. Parents receive this “Kindergeld” until their child has reached the age of 18.
Furthermore, due to Germany’s low birth rate and aging population, the German government has decided to raise the retirement age from 65 to 67, to make up for the amount of job losses and to keep people working longer.
Furthermore, due to Germany’s low birth rate and aging population, the German government has decided to raise the retirement age from 65 to 67, to make up for the amount of job losses and to keep people working longer.
(TURKISH) IMMIGRATION
A further issue in Germany is the great amount of immigrants and their impact on the German economy and culture. Germany has been a primary destination for refugees and asylum seekers. The majority of the immigrants are from Eastern Europe and Turkey. They are seeking work, even if it is for a low salary. The German government largely benefits from immigration, as it has people willing to perform unskilled labor for low wages. Furthermore the immigrants are a substitute for the shrinking working class in Germany. On the other hand, these immigrants take away the jobs of the locals, and many Germans are left unemployed.
The German culture has also begun to adopt Turkish traditions, mainly in the food sector. The döner especially has become increasingly popular in Germany. Nowadays, in Germany, the döner is as popular as the hamburger in America, and it is a reflection of the strong Turkish - German relationship. An additional huge problem is that many of these immigrants are often uneducated and can be very violent. Teenage violence, in particular, is a great problem in Germany, as many teens participate in vandalism, beatings, and neighborhood gangs, which are especially great problems in urban areas. A further problem is discrimination. Many Germans are incredibly racist towards Turks, and consider them as “lower class” people. Another problem is the conflict of religion, as most of the Turkish immigrants are Muslim whilst the Germans are mainly Christian
At present the government aims to allow more immigrants to enter the country, as they will be helpful in bolstering economic development and filling spots in the labor force.
The German culture has also begun to adopt Turkish traditions, mainly in the food sector. The döner especially has become increasingly popular in Germany. Nowadays, in Germany, the döner is as popular as the hamburger in America, and it is a reflection of the strong Turkish - German relationship. An additional huge problem is that many of these immigrants are often uneducated and can be very violent. Teenage violence, in particular, is a great problem in Germany, as many teens participate in vandalism, beatings, and neighborhood gangs, which are especially great problems in urban areas. A further problem is discrimination. Many Germans are incredibly racist towards Turks, and consider them as “lower class” people. Another problem is the conflict of religion, as most of the Turkish immigrants are Muslim whilst the Germans are mainly Christian
At present the government aims to allow more immigrants to enter the country, as they will be helpful in bolstering economic development and filling spots in the labor force.
The Turkish Community of Germany’s main goal is to ensure that all Turkish migrants living in Germany receive basic rights. The association represents the interests and requests of Turkish-origin migrants to German national institutions. Their goal is to ensure that all Turkish migrants have the opportunity for dual citizenship of migrants, the right to vote and they also ask for the establishment of programs in Turkish. The TGF, however, tends to avoid questions concerning religion, such as women wearing headscarves in public.
The graph above shows, that the majority of immigrants from non-EU countries (including Turkey) come due to education or family reasons. Since the educational programs, in particular concerning engineering and architecture are known worldwide.
Many migrants are forced to take a labor market test to prove that they cannot fill the position with an EU national. Thus the amount of migrants immigrating for labor reasons has decreased.
Many migrants are forced to take a labor market test to prove that they cannot fill the position with an EU national. Thus the amount of migrants immigrating for labor reasons has decreased.
Unemployment
Unemployment has been a great problem in Germany ever since unification. This is especially the case in the former DDR (East Germany) where the standard of living is much lower. Currently German unemployment is at its lowest level since German Unification nearly two decades ago. It is still a problem as a result of the recent financial crisis, which destroyed jobs in every industrialized country.
In the first year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, unemployment rose by 6%. The rise in unemployment was partly blamed on the government programs that continued to encourage companies to keep workers on reduced hours instead of letting them go.
In the first year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, unemployment rose by 6%. The rise in unemployment was partly blamed on the government programs that continued to encourage companies to keep workers on reduced hours instead of letting them go.
Bundesagentur Für arbeit
The Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) is an organization, which offers
employment opportunities and a training market for citizens,
companies and institutions across Germany. It is the largest service
provider in the job market. The BA provides a national network of
employment agencies and the jobs of the BA include: career guidance,
employer guidance, promotion of work training and services for the
preservation and creation of jobs. Furthermore, the BA pays the
previously mentioned “Kindergeld” (slide on aging population.)
employment opportunities and a training market for citizens,
companies and institutions across Germany. It is the largest service
provider in the job market. The BA provides a national network of
employment agencies and the jobs of the BA include: career guidance,
employer guidance, promotion of work training and services for the
preservation and creation of jobs. Furthermore, the BA pays the
previously mentioned “Kindergeld” (slide on aging population.)
Euro Crisis
A further great issue in Germany, concerning entire Europe is the Euro crisis. Since Greece, Spain and Italy have spent more money than they have, these southern countries are in great debt. Other EU countries attempts to help them, by bailing them out through the provision of cheap loans. Germany believes that these southern countries need to get their finances in order, and that they cannot depend on the wealthier EU countries, in particular Germany, to bail them out. However the German government may be able to bail out Greece, the smallest of the three. Overall, it is important to realize, that if one of the member country fails and cannot pay its debt, the entire EU could collapse, as all of the countries are linked together. Through these countries being in debt, the value of the Euro is rapidly decreasing, and the German government is unsure whether they should return to their former currency: the Deutsche Mark.
The collapse of the European Union would be a great problem, as the EU allows EU members to travel within member countries, trade freely without tariffs, and use the same currency, something that has simplified life for most Europeans.
The collapse of the European Union would be a great problem, as the EU allows EU members to travel within member countries, trade freely without tariffs, and use the same currency, something that has simplified life for most Europeans.
The european union
Since 2009, which is only 10 years after the formation of the European Union, the EU has struggled with the Eurozone crisis. As the member countries are all linked together, if one country fails the entire system collapses. This is evident in the current crisis. One by one, the countries’ economies are collapsing.
At present, it is uncertain, whether the European Union will continue to be able to exist, or whether, the debt of Greece, Italy and Spain will lead to the systems demise. The future of the EU is now in the hands of the wealthier EU countries, who may or may not resolve the conflict.
Primarily Germany and France aim to solve the Euro crisis, as they are the wealthiest member countries. Germany in particular, tries to help Greece the most, as Greece is the most in dept.
At present, it is uncertain, whether the European Union will continue to be able to exist, or whether, the debt of Greece, Italy and Spain will lead to the systems demise. The future of the EU is now in the hands of the wealthier EU countries, who may or may not resolve the conflict.
Primarily Germany and France aim to solve the Euro crisis, as they are the wealthiest member countries. Germany in particular, tries to help Greece the most, as Greece is the most in dept.
Inequality between women and men
One of the ongoing problems in Germany is the inequality between women and men in the job market. On average women earn 23% less than their male colleagues. In Germany the traditional role of women “Kinder, Küche, Kirche” Meaning to take care of the children the household and church. In history this is evident, as during the reign of the Nazi party in Germany, women were bribed or even bullied to leave their jobs. Thus the number of females in the German workforce never recovered. Today, the number of woman in upper and middle management positions is at a low of 9.2%. Recently women have made significant gains, and they are now allowed to serve in the Bundeswehr, the German military. A further improvement in this problem is that the first female chancellor, Angela Merkel, was elected to the office in 2005.
Heinrich böll stiftung
The Heinrich Böll Stiftung is named after the Nobel Prize-winning author Heinrich Böll and was founded in 1997. The organization is part of the Green political movement and close to the German party Bündnis. It mainly promotes sustainability, democracy, human rights, and particularly focuses on minorities, immigrants and women.
A further organization is the BPW Germany – Business and Professional Women. The BPW promotes gender equality; that women have equal chances as men and it encourages women to contribute in business.
A further organization is the BPW Germany – Business and Professional Women. The BPW promotes gender equality; that women have equal chances as men and it encourages women to contribute in business.