A question of perspective

Germany, Austria and Switzerland are all major players in terms of world trade. They also have close trading relations with each other. Indeed, Germany is the leading trading partner for both Austria and Switzerland. By contrast, Austria ranked seventh and Switzerland eighth in Germany’s major trading partners in 2021. Trade between Germany and Austria is generally less complicated than that with Switzerland, as the latter is not a member of the European Union.

Based on the size of the country and the number of inhabitants, Germany is much larger than either Austria or Switzerland. Nevertheless, if the list of countries is based on gross domestic product attained in 2021, the ranking is different. Switzerland is definitely ahead and ranks third with 93,719 US dollars per capita. Austria ranks 14th in the list with 53,367 US dollars per capita, and Germany ranks 18th with 50,794 US dollars for every inhabitant.

Germany

Capital: Berlin
Population in 2021: 83.2 Mio.*
Total Area: 357,580 km²
GDP per capita in 2022: 51,104 US-$*

Main imports in 2021
as % of total imports

1. Chemical products 14.5% 14.5%
1. Vehicles and parts 9% 9%
3. Machinery 8.9% 8.9%

Main exports in 2021
as % of total exports

1. Chemical products 17.7% 17.7%
2. Machinery 15.4% 15.4%
3. Cars and auto parts 14.5% 14.5%

Main supplier countries in 2021
in %

1. China 11.9% 11.9%
2. Netherlands 7.6% 7.6%
3. USA 6.1% 6.1%

Main buyer countries in 2021
in %

1. USA 8.9% 8.9%
2. China 7.6% 7.6%
3. France 7.4% 7.4%

Austria

Capital: Vienna
Population in 2022: 9 Mio.*
Total Area: 83,879 km²
GDP per capita in 2022: 53,371 US-$*

Main imports in 2020
as % of total imports

1. Chemical products 14.2% 14.2%
2. Machinery 14.1% 14.1%
3. Cars and auto parts 10% 10%

Main exports in 2020
as % of total exports

1. Machinery 16.7% 16.7%
2. Chemical products 14.1% 14.1%
3. Cars and auto parts 10% 10%

Main suppliers
in %

1. Germany 34.7% 34.7%
2. China 7.1% 7.1%
3. Italy 6.3% 6.3%

Main buyers 2020
in %

1. Germany 30.4% 30.4%
2. USA 6.5% 6.5%
3. Italy 6.2% 6.2%

German exports to Austria in 2021
as % of total exports

1. Maschinery 12.8% 12.8%
1. Chemical products 11.4% 11.4%
3. Cars and auto parts 9.6% 9.6%

Germany’s imports from Austria in 2021
as % of total imports

1. Machinery 14% 14%
2. Vehicles and parts 9.8% 9.8%
3. Chemical products 9.7% 9.7%

Switzerland

Capital: Berne
Population in 2021: 8.7 Mio.*
Total Area: 41,290 km²
GDP per capita in 2022: 96,390 US-$*

Main imports in 2021
as % of total imports

1. Gold 29% 29%
2. Chemical products 19.4% 19.4%
3. Machinery 5.2% 5.2%

Main exports in 2021
as % of total exports

1. Chemical products 37.8% 37.8%
2. Gold 22.9% 22.9%
3. Machinery 6.7% 6.7%

Main supplier countries in 2021
in %

1. Germany 19.3% 19.3%
2. United Kingdom 11.2% 11.2%
3. USA 7.5% 7.5%

Main buyer countries in 2021
in %

1. USA 16.5% 16.5%
2. Germany 14.5% 14.5%
3. China 8.7% 8.7%

German exports to Switzerland in 2021
in %

1. Chemical products 23% 23%
2. Machinery 9.6% 9.6%
3. Cars and auto parts 7.9% 7.9%

German imports from Switzerland in 2021
in %

1. Chemical products 33% 33%
2. Machinery 12.1% 12.1%
3. Gold 11.2% 11.2%

Source: GTAI 2022
*provisional figure, estimate/forecast
Photos: LBS REDL, Vectorstock/siraanamwong

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A question of perspective

Germany

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Switzerland