Inhalt
The Free State
Internal and Social Security
Quality of Life needs Security
Internal security is a top priority in Bavaria. The police force in Bavaria makes a major contribution to combating crime and protecting our citizens. The state has the lowest crime rate in the entire Federal Republic (in per cent) and at the same time the highest percentage of solved crimes. It is not surprising that the Bavarian police and judicial system have an excellent reputation beyond the borders of the state. That people can feel safe in Bavaria is a big advantage as regards quality of life and is an important factor when choosing a location.
Bavaria Leads the Way in Internal Security
The Bavarian Ministry of the Interior takes a hard line against crime of all descriptions. It does not shrink back in an opportunist way in the face of violence. Its motto is: "De-escalation by strength". No-go areas and open drug scenes are not tolerated in Bavaria.
An extensive programme of prevention ensures that crimes are not committed in the first place. Comprehensive security partnerships involving the whole of society are in the foreground. All aspects of security policies are acted on and an immediate reaction to new developments in the world of crime ensure that the public is effectively protected against dangerous violent criminals. The protection of victims is given top priority.
Social security is equally important. The high level of employment in the state is one reason why the number of people in Bavaria who find themselves in social need is particularly low. The employment rate in Bavaria is the highest in Germany. In addition, it has the second lowest level of unemployment and the lowest percentage of people claiming social benefits.
Bavaria is the only state in Germany that has managed during the last few years to keep practically unchanged the number of jobs on which social security contributions are levied. Well-trained and properly qualified employees are one important factor in this. The employees' high level of qualifications is also reflected in their pay, which in Bavaria is significantly higher than the federal average.
Focussed Regional Policies
Bavaria actively promotes a high quality of life in all parts of the state, both in the urban centres and in the rural areas. Focussed regional policies, such as investing in the infrastructure throughout the state and above all expanding and improving traffic and transport routes, help to reduce location differences between the various regions and enable all parts of Bavaria to profit from economic progress.
The State Government is paying particular attention to the border areas in the east of Bavaria, which suffered for decades because of the partitioning of Europe. Following the fall of the Iron Curtain and the eastward expansion of the EU, these areas are now facing new challenges. To allow eastern Bavaria to make full use of its opportunities as a new hub in East-West trade, the state has among other things introduced a 100 million Euro programme to strengthen the economic power of these regions. In addition, it is campaigning vigorously both at a federal level and in the EU so that eastern Bavaria is not placed at a disadvantage compared to the neighbouring states when it comes to economic aid.
Crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in 2005
| Bavaria | 5,483 |
| Federal average | 7,747 |
Percentage of crimes solved in 2005
| Bavaria | 65.9% |
| Federal average | 55.0% |
Jobs on which social security contributions are levied change from 1998 to 2006 in percent
| Bavaria | + 2.1% |
| Germany as a whole | - 3.8% |
Proportion of the Population in Work in 2005
| Bavaria | 70.0% |
| Germany as a whole | 65.4% |
Proportion of the Population Receiving Social Security Benefits in 2004
| Bavaria | 1.9% |
| Germany as a whole | 3.5% |
Unemployment Rate (Annual Average 2005)
| Baden-Württemberg | 7.0% |
| Bavaria | 7.8% |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 8.8% |
| Germany as a whole | 11.7% |