Walter Radermacher was born in Walheim (near Aachen) on 10 June 1952. From 1970 to 1975 he studied business administration in Aachen and in Münster. After obtaining the academic degree of Diplom-Kaufmann (economist), he worked as member of academic staff at the University of Münster from 1975 to 1978.
At the beginning of 1978, Walter Radermacher joined the Federal Statistical Office. After working in various areas, he was Head of the Administration Department at the Federal Statistical Office from 2001 to mid-2003.
In June 2003 he was entrusted with performing the duties of vice-president on a trial basis, from 24 December 2003 with the function of vice-president. After Walter Radermacher had acted on behalf of the President from 6 October 2006, he was appointed President on 22 December 2006.
Right at the beginning of Walter Radermacher’s term of office as President of the Federal Statistical Office there was the time of the German Presidency of the EU Council. From 1 January to 30 June 2007 he was chairman of the Council Working Party on Statistics.
From 19 January 2007, Walter Radermacher was Federal Returning Officer. As of 1 August 2008, he was appointed Director General of Eurostat
