The middle class which is reflected by 3,5 million small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed workers in craft, trading, industry, in the service sector and free vocations is the motor of the German economy as it generates ecnomic growth and adds new jobs. Around 70% of all jobs and more than 80% of all apprenticeship training positions are generated by the middle class.
 
In recent years the middle class developed positively.  The “Kfw-ifo-middle class barometer” acts as an indicator thereof and showed the highest stand for fiveteen years in June 2006.
 
With the middle class initiative whose draft was resolved on July, 19^th the German federal government aims to underline the importance of the middle class for the German economy. The agenda includes a relief of the middle class from bureaucratic obstacles, the enhancement of financial facilities and the modernisation of the vocational training and further training.
 
This way the number of start-ups should increase further in the long run and investments in research and development should be strengthened to enable the development of new markets and that the ability of the middle class to innovate can grow further.
 
Source: German Federal Government