Internet Economy in Numbers
Steady growth is allowing the German internet economy to establish itself as a major force in Europe’s strongest economy.
In 2021, Germany’s internet economy recorded revenue of more than EUR 178 billion. There are about 100,000 IT companies in Germany, employing more than 1.25 million IT professionals. This steady growth is allowing the German internet economy to establish itself as a major force in Europe’s strongest economy.
A significant feature of the German economy is the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These companies represent 99.9 percent of all German companies (around 3.67 million) and employ another 68 percent of the working population (29.1 million). These companies are best characterized by heavy investment and sustained technological and market innovation – features that have allowed them to become world leaders in a number of important industries and niche markets.
These SMEs also trained more than 1.2 million young adults (89 percent of all trainees). A strong commitment to investment and innovation has also allowed these businesses to perform well in the internet economy, leading to a high level of diversification and a vibrant digital ecosystem where dominant industry giants are few. This leads to an environment with few barriers to entry, allowing new and innovative start-ups the opportunity to enter this ever-growing industry.
