High-tech location and
city of science
5 reasons to choose Jena
Industries
Companies
Research & science
Industrial areas & building plots
Office & property market
City centre & retail
Jena as a business location at a glance
107,734
inhabitants
inhabitants
as of October 2025
61,209
employees
employees
Subject to social security contributions as of 20 October 2025
23%
High-tech employees
High-tech employees
Average for Germany 12%
80.3%
Export ratio
Export ratio
Manufacturing industry with 50 or more employees, as of 2025
€5,754 million
Gross domestic product
Gross domestic product
As of 2022, growth of 45% from €3.15 billion in 2008 to €5.75 billion in 2022
20,456
students
students
Winter semester 2024/25
36.9%
Percentage of highly qualified personnel
Percentage of highly qualified personnel
One third of all employees have a university degree.
4,500
Researchers
Researchers
at two universities and twelve non-university scientific institutions
266
patent applications
patent applications
per 100,000 inhabitants, per year (average for Germany: 46, as of 2024)
Global leader in optics & photonics, healthcare technology and digitalisation
Jena calls itself the “City of Light” – and impresses with far more than just optical expertise. Science, technology and entrepreneurial spirit have characterised economic development for over 150 years. Today, Jena is one of the leading technology locations in Germany and is internationally renowned for photonics, medical technology, precision engineering, sensor technology and digitalisation.
Science and business have always worked together in Jena. The proximity of local companies to research institutions such as Friedrich Schiller University, Ernst Abbe University and several Leibniz and Max Planck Institutes ensures a constant transfer of knowledge and technology. The short distances between research and companies promote innovation and strengthen Jena as a location for skilled labour and investment.
High-tech and a strong SME sector
Jena’s economic strength comes from the interplay of research-orientated high-tech companies, innovative start-ups and a strong SME sector. The focus on research-orientated production, knowledge-based services and sustainable solutions creates ideal conditions for highly qualified jobs.
Jena combines this economic stability with a high quality of life, a high level of innovation and international prospects – an ideal place to start up, grow and conduct research.
Data and figures on the location
Economy and employment
| 36,9 % | of employees in Jena have a university degree |
| 23 % | of employees work in the research-intensive industry and in information and communication technology (ICT) (∅ D 12 %) |
| 17 % | of all employees work in the research-intensive industry (∅ D 8%) |
| 28 % | of all employees work in knowledge-intensive services |
| 5.431 | Tradespeople in Jena (as of 2024) |
| 765 | Craft businesses in Jena (as of June 2025) |
Jena office market
| Area stock | 751.230 m² |
| Vacancy rate | 2,4 % |
| Space turnover | 9.030 m² |
| Average rent | 11,30 €/m² |
As at: September 2025 You can find more information in our current office market report.
Properties and industrial estates Jena
| Commercial space Total size | 338 ha in over 20 industrial estates |
| Marketable area | 4.5 ha |
Taxes
| Trade tax | 450 % |
| Property tax | 300 % |
Jena city centre and retail
| Retail centrality | 108,0 |
| Retail sales | 799.6 million € |
| Total sales area | 204.405 m² of which 50,450 m² in the city centre |
National rankings
| Prognos Future Atlas 2025 | Jena ranks 24th out of 400 German districts and independent cities |
| IW Consult 2024 | The city of Jena was ranked 13th out of 71 major German cities in the sustainability category as the best eastern German city. |
| Bitkom Smart City Index 2025 | Jena ranks 35th out of 82 major German cities in the “Society & Education” category |
| SKL Happiness Atlas 2025 | Thuringia ranks 6th. |
Contact us
Would you like to find out more about Jena’s key industries and growth opportunities? Jena Economic Development supports you with expertise, contacts and personalised advice.
