Upcoming Trade Shows in Germany for Health

Germany's health industry is a global leader and for good reason; the country possesses the third-largest medical technology market in the world, trailing only the United States and Japan. As the largest healthcare market in Europe, Germany’s medical device sector alone generates around $42 billion annually, accounting for a quarter of the European market. A robust healthcare system forms the backbone of Germany’s economy, with healthcare-related activities contributing EUR 775 billion, or roughly 12%, to the nation’s GDP. The sector employs nearly 8.1 million people, representing 17.7% of the total workforce in Germany. Over the past decade, employment in the healthcare industry has grown significantly, adding 1.4 million jobs since 2013. The industry’s gross value added in 2022 was EUR 439.6 billion. Germany's influence extends beyond its borders, with healthcare exports reaching EUR 186 billion in 2022, contributing 9.8% to the country’s total exports. Meanwhile, healthcare imports stood at EUR 154 billion. The country’s medical equipment market is expected to continue its strong growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected at 5.1% in Euro terms from 2020 to 2025. Key drivers of this growth include the ongoing digitalization of the health economy and significant investments in hospital modernization, fueled by the Hospital Future Act. Enacted in October 2020, the Hospital Future Act allocates EUR 3 billion in federal funding, supplemented by EUR 1.3 billion from state funds, to overhaul and digitalize Germany’s hospital infrastructure. This investment is part of a broader European strategy to enhance the healthcare sector, supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Horizon Europe program. These initiatives aim to foster innovation in critical areas such as cancer treatment, smart health, aging, and digital care models. However, despite its strengths, the German healthcare system faces challenges in adapting to new trends, owing to its decentralized and self-governing structure.