Economic strength and labor market in Aachen
Aachen is a leading business location characterized by its close connection between science, research and industry. With 11.5 start-ups per 100,000 inhabitants, the city ranks 4th in Germany, underlining the high level of activity in the area of business start-ups. Students at RWTH and FH Aachen University in particular are involved in the many start-ups. They make Aachen an important start-up city. This networking in particular promotes a stable and growing economy.
The city of Aachen has 12,391 companies in the city itself. In the StädteRegion, there are 12,114 more, resulting in a total of 24,505. Particularly noteworthy is the high number of commuters who value Aachen as an attractive place to work. The employment rate of 16 to 64-year-olds has risen from 52.10% in 2019 to 54.85% in 2022.
The service sector is the strongest in the Aachen region at 70.6%. Industry accounts for 28.6 % and agriculture for 0.7 %.
Key figures:
- 24,505 companies in the StädteRegion Aachen (2023)
- 12,391 companies in the city of Aachen (2023)
- 11.5 new start-ups per 100,000 inhabitants (2024)
- Inbound commuters: 72,933, outbound commuters: 31,242 (2023)
Aachen as a science and technology location
Aachen is one of the leading research and innovation locations in Germany. RWTH Aachen University, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, the Fraunhofer Institutes and other renowned institutions characterize the strong scientific landscape. Aachen has a total of seven universities with a wide range of subjects.
With almost 45,000 students, RWTH is the second largest technical university in Germany. It has over 260 scientific institutes and works closely with industry. The research environment is complemented by five large research centers, including the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and Forschungszentrum Jülich, one of the largest interdisciplinary research centers in Europe.
Aachen is also part of the "Excellence Initiative" of the federal and state governments, which promotes top-level research. The RWTH Aachen Campus project is creating one of the largest technology-oriented research networks in Europe, closely linking science and industry.
Key figures:
- 57,896 students
- 260 scientific institutes at the RWTH
- 5 large research centers
- 7 Universities
Infrastructure
Aachen offers an excellent infrastructure. The city benefits from its location at the border triangle with direct links to Belgium and the Netherlands, which promotes international exchange and contributes to positive urban development. Thanks to its central location, important cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf and Maastricht are also within easy reach. This makes Aachen an ideal location for commuters and business travelers. The well-developed transport structure with local public transport, cycle paths and many access roads gives residents easy access to workplaces, leisure activities and cultural facilities.
Key figures:
- Connection to 3 highways
- 5 stations
- Maastricht-Aachen Airport (approx. 40 km away)
- 16 % share of renewable energies (2018)
Quality of life in the European City of Aachen
Aachen offers a high quality of life with numerous recreational opportunities. The Aachen Forest stretches all the way to Belgium and is ideal for long walks and cycling tours. The Lousberg offers a panoramic view over the city. Parks such as the Stadtpark or the Kurpark Burtscheid provide space for relaxation. Attractive residential areas with a high quality of life, including the Frankenberger Viertel with its historic facades and the green Laurensberg with its spacious residential areas, make Aachen an even better place to live. The close connection to the European neighborhood also shapes daily life in the city.
Key figures:
- 3.3 million visitors in the city center
- Population of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine: 3.9 million
- Travel time to major European cities (by car):
Cologne - approx. 1 hour (A4)
Düsseldorf - approx. 1 hour (A44)
Maastricht - approx. 30 minutes (A4/N278)
Liège - approx. 45 minutes (A44/E40)
Brussels - approx. 1.5 hours (E40)
Amsterdam - approx. 2.5 hours (A76/A2)
Paris - approx. 4 hours (E40/A1)