Germany's economic structure is typical of highly industrialized
economies that often have a very strong services sector. In 1999 about
68.4 percent of the GDP was contributed by services, 30.4 percent by
industry, and 1.2 percent by agriculture, forestry, fishing, and
hunting. Approximately 63.6 percent of the country's work-force
was employed in services, 33.7 percent in industry, and 2.7 percent in
agriculture. The largest industries in terms of employment in 1998 were
manufacturing and mining with 8.65 million employees, miscellaneous
public
and private services with 7.44 million, trade and tourism with 6.28
million, and public administration with 3.2 million. Other major
employers were construction, business services and real estate, and
transport and communications. Manufacturing has traditionally been the
powerhouse of the economy, but its importance has declined significantly
over the last third of the 20th century as a result of structural
change. Manufacturing's share of the gross
value added
to the economic sector fell from 51.7 percent in 1970 to 32.8 percent
in 1997. In the same period, the service sector increased its share
markedly. Private services accounted for 37.3 percent of the gross value
added in 1997, while commerce and transport accounted for 14.6 percent.
Rapidly expanding branches, like information technology, communications,
and the aerospace industry, have failed to compensate for the decline of
traditional branches, such as textiles and steel, and the services
sector has been unable to achieve high growth rates given that basic
needs of the population are generally satisfied.