City Profile: Dresden
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Germany
- Population of the city: 575634
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 328
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 210 800 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 0.70%
- GDP PER PERSON: 36664
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 0.2
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 11.10%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 201-250
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 7.00%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 0.00%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 67.00%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 67.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 2.64
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the most recent supranational elections (%): 72.80%
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 66.90%
- City have its own open data website, or does it regularly report and publish its data on the national open data platform managed by a government agency: yes
- Datasets containing information about the city and its residents which are available on the open data portal managed by the city or a government agency to which the city provides information: 800
- E-services: fault reporting, electronic payments, on-line appointment schecduling: yes
- Existence of up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy: yes
- Number of valid and currently in-force sectoral (thematic) strategies: 6
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 4.5
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 82.47
- Obesity rate: 25.00%
- Average number of working hours: 34.4
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 27.80%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.12
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 64.00%
- Existence of electronic payment system for transportation services, such as payments by card at terminals or via a mobile app: yes
- Payment via the city's mobile application: yes
- Payment via a special payment card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Payment via a debit or credit card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Existence of intelligent traffic management system (ITS): yes
- Public transport network km per 100 resident: 0.11
- Distance to the nearest airport offering international flights: 0
- City provide data on public transportation (e.g., departure times, real-time location of public transport vehicles) through an open data portal managed by the city or a government entity: yes
- City provide on its website, mobile app, or through collaboration with other entities the ability to plan a journey using public transportation, known as a journey planner: yes
Environment & Sustainability
- Efficient use of electricity (per GDP): 0.16
- Average PM10 value in the city: 26
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 96.00%
- Recycling rate: 47.00%
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 48.05
- Unemployment rate: 5.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 1.8
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: -7.00%
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Rank:
GOLD
Points:
893
Dresden, a city rich in history and renowned for its cultural and technological significance, is one of Germany’s most picturesque and dynamic urban centers. Home to 575,634 residents across 328 square kilometers, it represents 0.7% of the country’s total population. With a 2024 budget of £210.8 million GBP, Dresden continues to invest in its infrastructure, public services, and economic development. Despite a modest real GDP growth rate of 0.2%, the city maintains a strong GDP per capita of £36,664. Public administration plays a vital role in the local economy, employing 11.1% of the workforce and ensuring well-structured governance.
Education and innovation are deeply embedded in Dresden’s identity. The city is home to a university ranked within the global 201-250 range, fostering a strong academic and research culture. Lifelong learning is embraced by 7% of residents, and access to higher education remains free, ensuring inclusivity in educational advancement. With 67% of the population fluent in at least one foreign language and the same percentage possessing digital skills, Dresden stands as a well-educated and digitally literate city. Additionally, 2.64 patents are granted per 10,000 residents, reflecting Dresden’s commitment to research and technological progress.
Governance and civic engagement are strong in Dresden, with high voter turnout rates—72.8% in the most recent supranational elections and 66.9% in the last local elections. Transparency is a priority, with the city managing an open data platform containing 800 datasets that offer insight into urban life. Digital governance is well-established, featuring e-services for fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city follows an up-to-date development strategy supported by six sectoral strategies, ensuring a structured approach to its long-term growth.
Health and well-being are key priorities for Dresden. The city guarantees universal healthcare, with 100% of residents covered by medical insurance and access to 4.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants. Life expectancy is high at 82.47 years, reflecting strong healthcare services and a high quality of life. However, the city faces challenges with an obesity rate of 25%. Mental health services are well-developed, benefiting 27.8% of the adult population, while the suicide attempt rate remains low at 0.12 per 1,000 residents.
Dresden’s transportation network is designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind. Green mobility accounts for 64% of urban travel, supported by an intelligent traffic management system that enhances mobility. Public transport extends 0.11 kilometers per 100 residents, ensuring accessibility. Multiple digital payment options—including mobile applications, special transport cards, and debit or credit card transactions—streamline commuting. The city also benefits from direct connectivity to an international airport, facilitating global travel. Dresden's commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility is further reinforced by open data policies that provide real-time transportation information and journey planning tools.
Environmental sustainability is at the core of Dresden’s urban planning. The city efficiently manages electricity consumption at 0.16 per GDP and maintains a recycling rate of 47%. While 96% of the population is served by sewage treatment facilities, the city continues to focus on improving air quality, as indicated by an average PM10 level of 26. Dresden also actively promotes renewable energy adoption through municipal policies and legal frameworks, ensuring a greener future.
Dresden’s economic landscape is diverse, with 48.05 businesses per 1,000 residents, contributing to its stable and competitive economy. The city maintains a relatively low unemployment rate of 5%, reflecting strong job opportunities. Foreign investment remains steady. However, earnings in Dresden are slightly below the national average, with a 7% deviation, indicating a more affordable cost of living compared to other major German cities.
Education and innovation are deeply embedded in Dresden’s identity. The city is home to a university ranked within the global 201-250 range, fostering a strong academic and research culture. Lifelong learning is embraced by 7% of residents, and access to higher education remains free, ensuring inclusivity in educational advancement. With 67% of the population fluent in at least one foreign language and the same percentage possessing digital skills, Dresden stands as a well-educated and digitally literate city. Additionally, 2.64 patents are granted per 10,000 residents, reflecting Dresden’s commitment to research and technological progress.
Governance and civic engagement are strong in Dresden, with high voter turnout rates—72.8% in the most recent supranational elections and 66.9% in the last local elections. Transparency is a priority, with the city managing an open data platform containing 800 datasets that offer insight into urban life. Digital governance is well-established, featuring e-services for fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city follows an up-to-date development strategy supported by six sectoral strategies, ensuring a structured approach to its long-term growth.
Health and well-being are key priorities for Dresden. The city guarantees universal healthcare, with 100% of residents covered by medical insurance and access to 4.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants. Life expectancy is high at 82.47 years, reflecting strong healthcare services and a high quality of life. However, the city faces challenges with an obesity rate of 25%. Mental health services are well-developed, benefiting 27.8% of the adult population, while the suicide attempt rate remains low at 0.12 per 1,000 residents.
Dresden’s transportation network is designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind. Green mobility accounts for 64% of urban travel, supported by an intelligent traffic management system that enhances mobility. Public transport extends 0.11 kilometers per 100 residents, ensuring accessibility. Multiple digital payment options—including mobile applications, special transport cards, and debit or credit card transactions—streamline commuting. The city also benefits from direct connectivity to an international airport, facilitating global travel. Dresden's commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility is further reinforced by open data policies that provide real-time transportation information and journey planning tools.
Environmental sustainability is at the core of Dresden’s urban planning. The city efficiently manages electricity consumption at 0.16 per GDP and maintains a recycling rate of 47%. While 96% of the population is served by sewage treatment facilities, the city continues to focus on improving air quality, as indicated by an average PM10 level of 26. Dresden also actively promotes renewable energy adoption through municipal policies and legal frameworks, ensuring a greener future.
Dresden’s economic landscape is diverse, with 48.05 businesses per 1,000 residents, contributing to its stable and competitive economy. The city maintains a relatively low unemployment rate of 5%, reflecting strong job opportunities. Foreign investment remains steady. However, earnings in Dresden are slightly below the national average, with a 7% deviation, indicating a more affordable cost of living compared to other major German cities.