The competitive and export-strong German economy is often criticised, while it creates millions of jobs in other EU states. This is what is shown in a new study for the vbw which was presented by Prognos expert Dr. Michael Schlesinger on 21 February in the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria in Brussels.
The study entitled “Die Bedeutung der deutschen Wirtschaft für Europa” (Importance of the German Economy for Europe) shows: German import demand alone guarantees more than 4.9 million jobs in other EU states. Prognos conducted the study on behalf of the vbw - Vereinigung der Bayerischen Wirtschaft e. V. (the Bavarian Industry Association).
“The demand for imports from the German industry is particularly advantageous for the economies in Central Eastern Europe, which are closely intertwined with Germany, as well as for the smaller Western European neighbouring countries of Germany,” said Prognos economist Schlesinger. In countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands or Austria, German import demand induces between seven and more than eight per cent of total gross value added. This represents several hundred thousand jobs in each case.
These findings show the large significance of the German economy for the EU. “The study confirms that there are overall no disadvantages for EU partner states as a result of a competitive and fast-growing German industry,” explained Schlesinger. Due to the intensive economic interdependence, European trading partners profit from a favourable development of Germany
Read the study (vbw-bayern.de): Importance of the German Economy for Europe
Authors: Dr. Michael Schlesinger, Johann Weiss
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