Switzerland remains the frontrunner

The Federal Republic of Germany is well behind the front-runner, Switzerland, as well as Singapore and Belgium. It cannot stand out from the USA, Great Britain and South Korea. In the digitization indicator, which was surveyed for the first time, Germany ranks well behind other industrialized nations in 17th place.

The German innovation system is well-balanced, but does not achieve a top international ranking in any of the sub-areas examined - business, science, education, government and society.

Germany performs best in the area of economy with seventh place, and worst in the area of society with 13th place.

"Germany must make significant gains in innovation competition"

says BDI President Dieter Kempf. Every tax euro attracts around 1.25 euros in private investment.

"A must for digitization and Industry 4.0 is to push ahead with broadband expansion and realize the digital European single market"

Kempf demands.

"There is great potential in the digitization of public administration."

Germany is mediocre when it comes to digitization - despite its leading role in Industry 4.0. In the digitization indicator, which was surveyed for the first time, Germany ranks well behind other industrialized nations in 17th place.

The USA in particular is ahead of Germany in the areas of business, science, education and government. The plus point from a German perspective is society - thanks to a high level of use of digital technology.

Germany lags behind, especially in research and technology, education and infrastructure.