Most of these are legislative problems, in the sense that they intentionally exist. The legal climate of Germany makes startups nearly impossible, because the German government doesn't want risk takers to exist.

I would also add that I have seen a determined anti-education attitude, especially against STEM education. In stark distinction STEM careers are usually considered "lower class" than civil service careers. This is combined with a truly bizarre anti-education stance by education ministers, who see technology not as something which requires a more educated population, but rather means basic education is less important as "computers can do that".

I also completely disagree on work ethic. In my experience Germans want less hours and more work from home, but are willing to be extremely productive in that time frame.