As a whole, this state, having formerly been known for its agriculture and fisheries, has in recent years become a successful location for modern business, industry and technology. Today, the most important economic sector in Schleswig-Holstein is information and communication, which accounts for 20% of overall industrial production. Mechanical engineering also plays a major role and employs the most people.

Shipbuilding has been traditionally strong, and medical technology is more developed here than in other federal states. Some 16% of employed people work in this future-oriented sector. Schleswig-Holstein is also a leader in environmental technologies. Here 700 companies with 32,000 employees develop and produce processes for the protection of the environment.