II‑ Technological Context
•Among most technologically advanced countries in the world
•Major industrial activities
•Higher percentage labor force in manufacturing than any country in course
•Population almost totally literate – 99%
•Per capita GDP purchasing power parity 2003
Among most technologically advanced countries in the world
Largest economy in Europe
5th largest in the world
Slowest growing in the Euro area

Major industrial activities
Metal production & processing
Manufacture of steel
Manufacture of electrical & other machinery
Electronics
Vehicle production
Chemicals
Reasonable resource base

Per capita GDP purchasing power parity 2003 (has fallen in relative terms)
Below USA lowest in course (almost exactly equal to Italy)
Human Development index put them also at or near the bottom in 2003