- Beer, sausage, car: This is how Germany really is today
Germany, that's beer, bratwurst, Bundesliga, and driving a big car - and for many, visiting a pub is also part of German culture. Statistics provide insight into how and where Germany is actually developing in these clichés. Let's just say: Some might need to be quite strong now, as there's surprisingly much movement and unexpected trends in the supposedly unshakeable German traditions.
Beer drinking
Even though poet August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798-1874) in "Das Lied der Deutschen" - from which the German national anthem originates - doesn't mention beer, but wine ("German wine and German song, shall in the world keep their old beautiful sound"), many abroad think of beer when they hear the word "Germany". Especially of the Oktoberfest in Munich. "Brewing is a trademark of Germany," declares the German Brewers' Federation.
But it has to face a significant development. In the last 25 years, per capita consumption here has decreased by about a third. Nationwide, it was recently only 88 liters, of which nearly 8 liters were non-alcoholic beer. Five years ago, it was still 99 liters of beer. The development seems rapid. Cheers, Germany? Apparently, less and less.
Sausage eating
Grilling bratwurst in summer, eating Bockwurst on Christmas Eve, ordering currywurst in the canteen - little seems more German than sausage. Whether Thuringian roast bratwurst, Nuremberg Rostbratwurst, or one of the many other varieties: For many tourists, trying sausage specialties, for example in Bavarian inns, Cologne pubs, or Frankfurt apple wine taverns, is part of their Germany visit.
But the Federal Association of German Sausage and Ham Producers has a bitter pill to swallow: Per capita consumption of meat products - such as sausage or ham - is going down. Ten years ago, it was almost 30 kilograms, now it's only about 25 per year. Overall meat consumption is almost ten kilograms less per capita than in 2014. Pork is still far ahead with 27.5 kilograms per capita, but ten years ago, it was ten kilograms more. Also, fresh meat counters in supermarkets seem to be disappearing.
Pub visiting
"Die kleine Kneipe in unserer Straße - da, wo das Leben noch lebenswert ist," Michael Kunze wrote for Peter Alexander almost 50 years ago. "Dort in der Kneipe in unserer Straße, da fragt dich keiner, was du hast oder bist." Well, these places are becoming fewer and fewer. For some time now, a massive decline in pubs has been recorded in Germany.
According to the DEHOGA Federal Association (Hotel and Restaurant Association), citing the Federal Statistical Office, there were still about 31,000 pubs in 2015. In 2019, there were almost 29,000, but in 2022, there were only 21,000 - figures for 2023 will be published by the Federal Statistical Office in March 2025.
In between was - we remember - the COVID-19 pandemic with its devastating effects on the catering industry and going-out behavior. Increasing costs for energy, rent, and personnel probably don't help either.
Car driving
Germany is car country. "In Germany, the automobile was invented. The passenger car, the truck, and the bus," declares the Association of the German Automotive Industry (VDA). "Also the electric motor and the computer." The goal, according to VDA, is "climate-neutral mobility by 2050 at the latest. With electric drive, with e-fuels, with hydrogen."
With the quite strong eco-movement, some people might think that Germany is shifting away from cars and individual traffic. However, this assumption is incorrect. Statistics from the Federal Motor Transport Authority in Flensburg show: Ten years ago, there were approximately 44 million registered passenger cars in Germany, today there are over 49 million.
The highest increase in the number of registered passenger cars was seen in the segment of tank-like SUVs, of which there are now around six million - about twice as many as five years ago. Big cars in Germany? You bet!
Going to the Stadium
The Bundesliga is among the top leagues in football. However, there's a downward trend in attendance. While 13.3 million spectators were counted at the games of the (first) Bundesliga in the 2018/19 season, there were only 11.9 million in the 2023/24 season. In terms of leisure activities, stadium attendance can hardly be considered unique.
On the other hand, theater attendance looks different: Due to Germany's historical structure of many small states and rulers with their own courts, where often their own theaters were founded, Germany has developed into the wealthiest theater landscape in the world. Every year, more people visit theaters in Germany than Bundesliga stadiums.
However, there's also a downward trend here. Before the Corona period (2018/19 season), 22.9 million theater spectators were counted. Recently, this number has decreased by around 19%. The latest statistics from the German Stage Association (2022/23 - the first "normal" theater season after three seasons with Corona closures) show an audience of 18.6 million spectators.
Despite Germany's reputation for driving big cars, the Association of the German Automotive Industry (VDA) aims for climate-neutral mobility by 2050, with a focus on electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Contrary to some expectations, the number of registered passenger cars in Germany has increased over the past decade, reaching over 49 million in 2023.
The highest increase was seen in the segment of SUVs, with around six million in circulation, more than double the number five years ago. Big cars in Germany continue to be a common sight on the roads.
