Munich Leads the Way

With EUR21,884, Munich occupies the leading position in terms of purchasing power amongst German cities, followed by Bergisch Gladbach with EUR21,251 and Erlangen with EUR21,090. In a comparison of the 439 urban and regional districts in Germany, the Hochtaunus region is way out in front with EUR23,058 per capita, followed by Starnberg and Munich. These are the findings of the purchasing power 2003 survey carried out by GfK Marktforschung.

The forecast total disposable income of German consumers for 2003, i.e. their net pay including state benefits, amounts to EUR1,369 billion. Averaged out across the total population, this equates to EUR16,606 per German citizen available this year for outgoings and consumer spending.

The purchasing power inherent in disposable income in Germany varies greatly from region to region. The Bavarian capital of Munich leads the way among German cities with disposable income of EUR21,884 per inhabitant per year. In second place is Bergisch Gladbach with EUR21,251 and in third place the university town of Erlangen with EUR21,090. The income level in Munich, Bergisch Gladbach and Erlangen is 31.8 per cent, 27.9 per cent and 27.0 per cent respectively above the German average of EUR 16,606. The remaining spots in the top ten are filled by Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Wiesbaden, Bonn, Mainz, Darmstadt and Mülheim/Ruhr.

Potsdam leads the way among east German cities. With disposable income of EUR15,639 per inhabitant per year, its purchasing power is 5.8 per cent below the average for Germany as a whole. Potsdam is followed by Jena with an average income of EUR14,806 and Dresden with EUR14,722.

In pole position among the regional districts is Hochtaunus. With disposable income of EUR23,058 per inhabitant (almost 39 per cent more than the German average), the district north of Frankfurt/Main tops the ranking of regional areas. The Bavarian districts of Starnberg and Munich are just behind, with 36.5 and 33.3 per cent more purchasing power respectively. In the east German districts, Potsdam-Mittelmark has the highest purchasing power at EUR15,139, but is still 8.8 per cent below the average for Germany as a whole.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

• GfK Germany
• All news