  Germany — Economy |
| Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy - the fifth largest in the world - has become one of the slowest growing economies in the euro zone. A quick turnaround is not in the offing in the foreseeable future. Growth in 2001-03 fell short of 1%, rising to 1.7% in 2004. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70 billion. Germany's aging population, combined with high unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made unemployment a chronic problem. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are further addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government revenues and the rise in expenditures have raised the deficit above the EU's 3% debt limit. |
GDP: $2,860,000,000,000
GDP Per Capita: $34,800
GDP By Sector: agriculture: 1%
industry: 31%
services: 68%
Population Below Poverty Line : 0%
Household Income: 3.6%
Inflation Rate: 2.8%
Labor Force: 43,620,000
Labor Force By Occupation: industry 33.4%; agriculture 2.8%; services 63.8%
Unemployment Rate: 8%
Fiscal Year: calendar year
Budget: $1,249,000,000,000
Industries: among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages; shipbuilding; textiles
Industrial Growth Rate: 2.2%
Agriculture Products: potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry
Currency Code: EUR euro
|
Chart.
|