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Health and care industry; information

The health and care industry is growing, is crisis-resistant and is a driver of employment, innovation and economic development. All the figures prove it: The sector is one of the leading economies in Bavaria and Germany.

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Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Gesundheit, Pflege und Prävention

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Gesundheit, Pflege und Prävention

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Health and care industry (GPflWi)

The health and care industry is growing, crisis-resistant and a driver of employment, innovation and economic development. All the figures prove it: The sector is one of the leading economies in Bavaria and Germany. Digitalization, demographic change and medical-technical progress are leading to this upswing, as is increased health awareness among the population.

Driver of innovation and employment

The economic importance of the health and care industry is considerable and growing.

The gross value added of the Bavarian healthcare industry grew by 4.9% annually between 2014 and 2023. This was significantly higher than the growth of the Bavarian economy as a whole (4.3%). With a gross value added of 74.2 billion euros, every ninth euro will be created in the Bavarian economy in 2023. With 1.2 million employees, the sector employs by far the most people in Bavaria: one in six people worked in this sector in 2023.

In contrast to other economic sectors, there was no slump in economic output during the coronavirus pandemic. On the contrary, the sector has continued to grow and has also stabilized the economy as a whole in difficult times. The health and care industry has thus proven to be a crisis-proof leading economy with sustainability.

In addition, the health and care industry has positive effects on other economic sectors through its demand for products and services: in 2022, every euro generated in this sector generated an additional 32 cents in the Bavarian economy as a whole. In addition, five people employed in the health and care sector created one additional job in other sectors.

If these indirect and induced effects are added, the health and care industry in Bavaria creates a gross value added of 86.5 billion euros and employs around 1.6 million people.

And this sector also has a positive impact on the whole of Germany. Due to its regional interdependencies, this leads to a gross value added of 111 billion euros and 1.8 million jobs throughout Germany. One euro of gross value added in the Bavarian health and care industry thus generates 0.69 euros in the German economy as a whole. This means that three employees in the Bavarian health and care industry secure another job in Germany.

The health and care industry can be divided into three main areas: Medical and nursing care, the industrial healthcare industry and other sub-sectors. In detail:
Medical and nursing care comprises all services directly related to the treatment and care of patients. Nursing plays a central role here, as it ensures the continuous care and support of patients and thus makes a significant contribution to their recovery and quality of life.
The industrial healthcare sector focuses on the manufacture and distribution of human pharmaceuticals, e-health solutions, medical technology and biotechnology. The industrial healthcare sector also invests in the research and development of innovative pharmaceutical products and medical devices.
Other sub-sectors include health insurance services as well as sports and wellness services, such as activities in spas and health resorts.

Bavaria is a top location for biomedical, pharmaceutical and medical technology

The Bavarian health and care sector has a strong industrial character and is home to a large number of world-leading, innovative companies in the fields of medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. With a GVA of over 15.8 billion euros in 2023, Bavaria is one of the most important federal states in the industrial healthcare sector.

Bavaria is characterized by a high level of research strength and combines entrepreneurial expertise with scientific excellence. The close cooperation between industry and science promotes innovation and the further development of the healthcare industry. The rapid translation of academic research into practical care is particularly important.

For example, in the top clusters for medical technology and pharmaceuticals "Medical Valley" in the Nuremberg/Erlangen/Fürth city triangle and "BioM" for basic biomedical research in Munich-Martinsried, outstanding scientists and doctors are working closely together on the medical successes of the future.

  • WifOR-Studie
    Im Auftrag des StMGP hat das WifOR Institut eine aktuelle Studie zum sozialen, ökologischen und ökonomischen Fußabdruck der Gesundheits- und Pflegewirtschaft Bayerns durchgeführt und im Januar 2025 veröffentlicht.

Status: 06.06.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Gesundheit, Pflege und Prävention
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