Ranking German States by Total Revenues: Overall Economic Output vs. Income per Capita
While the ranking of Germany’s federal states (Bundesländer) by income per capita (GDP per capita) reflects the level of individual prosperity, the picture changes when we look at total revenues or overall economic output and tax income. In this case, highly populated states with large industrial clusters and service hubs rank near the top – even if their per-capita income is not the highest.
In this comprehensive overview, we present an approximate ranking of the German states by total revenues/overall economic output, and highlight the main sources of income and key strengths of each state.
Note: The figures and positions mentioned are approximate and based on estimates and statistics close to the situation around 2025. Actual rankings may differ somewhat due to economic developments and structural changes.
Rank: 1st in overall economic output.
Reasons for leading position:
Germany’s most populous state (around 17.9 million inhabitants), providing a very broad economic base.
Strong mix of industry and services: historically heavy industry (steel, coal), now chemicals, energy, media and services.
Main sources of income:
Traditional industries in the Ruhr area
Media and service sector (headquarters of major TV broadcasters and media groups in Cologne and Düsseldorf)
Domestic and foreign trade based on highly developed transport infrastructure.
Rank: 2nd.
Reasons for strong position:
Powerful industrial and technological base: major car manufacturers (BMW, Audi) and global tech companies (e.g. Siemens).
International tourism: the Alps, lakes and Munich as a major business and congress centre.
Main sources of income:
Automotive and mechanical engineering
Information technology, software and research
Agriculture, wine production and rural tourism.
Rank: 3rd.
Reasons:
One of the world’s key automotive regions (Mercedes-Benz, Porsche).
Clusters in precision engineering, machinery, robotics.
High levels of investment in research and development, supported by renowned universities (Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, etc.).
Main sources of income:
Automotive manufacturing and mechanical engineering
Electronics and green technologies
Strong, export-oriented mid-sized companies (Mittelstand).
Rank: 4th.
Reasons:
Headquarters of Volkswagen in Wolfsburg, one of the largest carmakers worldwide.
Extensive agriculture and animal husbandry.
Important seaports such as Wilhelmshaven on the North Sea coast.
Main sources of income:
Automotive industry (VW and suppliers)
Agricultural and food production
Maritime trade and logistics.
Rank: 5th.
Reasons:
Financial hub Frankfurt am Main, home to the European Central Bank and major German banks.
Large service sector (insurance, consulting, accounting).
Main sources of income:
Financial and banking services
Business travel, fairs and conferences
Chemical and light industries in various regions.
Rank: 6th.
Reasons:
Political capital: seat of ministries, embassies and international organisations.
Very dynamic start-up scene in technology and the digital economy.
Major tourist destination, among the most visited cities in Europe.
Main sources of income:
Public administration and government-related services
Technology, start-ups, digital and creative industries
Tourism, culture and live events.
Rank: 7th.
Reasons:
Important wine and agricultural region, especially along the Rhine.
Industrial and technological locations around Mainz and Kaiserslautern.
Main sources of income:
Food industry and wine production
Manufacturing industry
Logistics and trade-related services.
Rank: 8th.
Reasons:
“Silicon Saxony” in Dresden: production of semiconductors and electronics.
Car manufacturing with VW plants (e.g. Zwickau) and BMW in Leipzig.
Main sources of income:
High-tech and microelectronics
Automotive industry and suppliers
Tourism in Dresden, Leipzig and other destinations.
Rank: 9th – despite being at the top in income per capita.
Explanation:
Hamburg is a city state with a relatively small population (~1.9 million). As a result, the total economic volume is lower than in large territorial states with more inhabitants, even though per-capita incomes are high.
Main sources of income:
Port of Hamburg – one of Europe’s largest seaports
Media, publishing and advertising
Financial and insurance services.
Rank: 10th.
Reasons:
Strategic location between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, strongly shaped by coastal and island tourism.
Maritime industries and farming.
Main sources of income:
Eco- and coastal tourism
Transport services and port operations
Agriculture and fishing.
Rank: 11th.
Reasons:
Close economic ties with Berlin, including Potsdam and the suburban belt.
Important role in renewable energies (wind farms, solar plants).
Main sources of income:
Agriculture and forestry
Clean energy and power generation
Light industry and services linked to the Berlin metropolitan area.
Rank: 12th.
Reasons – despite its small size:
Border location with France and Luxembourg, relevant for cross-border trade and commuting.
Tradition in steel and heavy industry, despite structural decline.
Main sources of income:
Metal and technology sectors
Automotive plants and suppliers
Cross-border services and trade.
Rank: 13th.
Reasons:
Long-standing tradition in chemical industries (e.g. Leuna, Bitterfeld).
Strong agricultural production (grains, sugar beet).
Main sources of income:
Chemical and manufacturing industries
Agriculture
Growing projects in renewable energies.
Rank: 14th.
Reasons:
Industrial clusters in Erfurt, Jena and Eisenach.
Overall somewhat lower volume of large-scale investment compared to, for example, Saxony.
Main sources of income:
Light industry, machinery and equipment
Agriculture and livestock
Scientific institutions and research in selected university cities.
Rank: 15th.
Reasons:
Low population density (~1.6 million inhabitants) and limited industrial base.
Strong focus on tourism along the Baltic Sea coast.
Main sources of income:
Tourism (e.g. the islands of Rügen and Usedom)
Agriculture and fishing
Port activities in Rostock, with relatively limited industrial hinterland.
Rank: 16th and last in total volume.
Reasons:
Very small city state (~0.68 million inhabitants), resulting in a comparatively low total economic output.
Despite relatively high average income levels, the aggregate revenue remains modest.
Main sources of income:
Ports of Bremen/Bremerhaven and maritime logistics
Aerospace industry (e.g. aircraft components)
Container handling, freight forwarding and trade services.
There is a clear difference between the ranking of German states by GDP per capita (where Hamburg, for example, is at the top) and the ranking by total revenues/overall output, which is dominated by large, densely populated and industrially strong states such as North Rhine-Westphalia.
North Rhine-Westphalia leads the list because of its large population and long tradition in industry and services, while Hamburg or Bremen appear further down the total ranking despite high per-capita income, simply due to their limited population base.
Germany’s federal system addresses these disparities through the Länderfinanzausgleich (fiscal equalisation mechanism), which redistributes funds from financially strong states to those with weaker economic capacity. This helps maintain a certain balance between “rich” and “structurally weaker” regions.
With ongoing technological progress and digital transformation up to 2025 and beyond, eastern German states are likely to see further growth in technology and industry, while western and southern states will probably maintain their lead based on established industrial, financial and service structures.
The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and the evaluation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some details may turn out to be uncertain or subject to change. The information in this article should therefore be regarded as an initial reference only; for binding and up-to-date information, you should always consult the competent authorities and official institutions.
