NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/13/business/worldbusiness/13germany.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

Germany’s Export-Led Economy Finds Global Niche

JENA, Germany — For those seeking the elixir that has given new life to Germany’s economy, a visit to this ancient university town in the eastern part of the country would be a good place to start.

This article does a decent enough job of summarising what's been going on in the German economy over the past year or so.

The Federal Statistics Office reckons that economic growth was 2.7% in 2006, and that another solid (if not quite as big) year is going to follow. As usual, it's exports which pull the cart, but for the first time in some years consumers have also started to shop again, which is good news. And it doesn't even look like Merkel's increase in sales taxes made a big impact.

What do you think the implications of this are for the world economy? Is it time to dismiss the story about the sick man? And will a possible downturn in the US economy still take the world with it?

What's the unemployment rate now? when I was there I was surprised how difficult it is to find jobs in europe. Then again, I come from alberta, so take that in relative terms.

but for the first time in some years consumers have also started to shop again, which is good news.

I'm proud to say I'm doing my best to help the country.






Incidentally, I was going to ask if you could lend me a fiver? <.<

What's the unemployment rate now?
The rate is falling, but it is of course the slowest to do so. So at the moment it's hovering around 10%, depending on who you ask. The highest rates are in rural Eastern Germany.

http://www.destatis.de/indicators/e/arb210ae.htm - full stats here

The rate is falling, but it is of course the slowest to do so. So at the moment it's hovering around 10%, depending on who you ask. The highest rates are in rural Eastern Germany.

http://www.destatis.de/indicators/e/arb210ae.htm - full stats here
Yowch, that's high. Good to hear it's falling though. Thanks for the linky.

I thought that was Turkey.

I thought that was Turkey.

Me too, dammit. I had a Turkey-pun all ready to go.

Me too, dammit. I had a Turkey-pun all ready to go.

It's okay, you can tell us - we won't laugh... or, I mean... we will laugh...:D

It's okay, you can tell us - we won't laugh... or, I mean... we will laugh...:D

I predicted this about Turkey awhile back. Anatolia So!

I predicted this about Turkey awhile back. Anatolia So!http://forums1.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12542174&postcount=28

http://forums1.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12542174&postcount=28

Lazy tonight? :p

Lazy tonight? :p
I already always end up posting something frivolous in Neu Leonstein's serious threads, so I figured my second post in this one should at least have a certain business-like air about it. For some reason, a link manages to do that much better than a size 6 asterisked word with two smileys. Go figure.

Looks like east Germany is finally making a recovery (of sorts) at the same time building on a secure high technology market, which will no doubt only grow as Brazil and India grow richer

Now lets see the rest of Europe work on a similar plan and we can hopefully have a very secure future :) (yes I have little to add and are thus talking jibberish)

The rebuilding effort in former East Germany is finally paying off. There's still a long way to go, but they've turned the corner.

Germany is going to be THE economic power of the EU. No real question.

Too bad France is still teh suxxor :(

Germany is going to be THE economic power of the EU. No real question.

It really already is, along with the UK. Those two countries will definitely be the growth leaders in Europe during future expansions; the present is mainly laying the groundwork for future success.

I don't think the EU will achieve US-level GDP growth, but I could see healthy 2-3% combined with a decline in unemployment.

I already always end up posting something frivolous in Neu Leonstein's serious threads...
It wouldn't be quite the same if you didn't...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/13/business/worldbusiness/13germany.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin



This article does a decent enough job of summarising what's been going on in the German economy over the past year or so.

The Federal Statistics Office reckons that economic growth was 2.7% in 2006, and that another solid (if not quite as big) year is going to follow. As usual, it's exports which pull the cart, but for the first time in some years consumers have also started to shop again, which is good news. And it doesn't even look like Merkel's increase in sales taxes made a big impact.

What do you think the implications of this are for the world economy? Is it time to dismiss the story about the sick man? And will a possible downturn in the US economy still take the world with it?
I was under the impression Merkel wanted lower, not higher, taxes. I can't say I know much about the German economy, but perhaps this could be to do with finally integrating the 'East' German economy into that of the 'west'. I can imagine reunification being an extremely large drain on the resources of West Germany, but that's just speculation.

Too bad France is still teh suxxor :(

Eh, I'm not complaining.

I was under the impression Merkel wanted lower, not higher, taxes.
No. Just because she's conservative doesn't mean she hates taxes. You're thinking of the Free Democrats.

The German government runs big debts similar to the US one. One of her big promises was to get the budget under control and thus allow the government to actually prepare for the future without having to worry so much about interest payments.

So she said from day one that she wanted to cut spending and raise the sales taxes. Even when the economy started doing well and the government got record tax intakes she went ahead.

I can imagine reunification being an extremely large drain on the resources of West Germany, but that's just speculation.
The Free University in Berlin reckons it cost 1.5 trillion (!) euros. People in the west still pay a 5.5% "solidarity tax" to help rebuild the east.

It wouldn't be quite the same if you didn't...>.<

<.<

>.<

<.<
:p

One of these days I'm gonna have to find out what all these emoticons mean...

No. Just because she's conservative doesn't mean she hates taxes. You're thinking of the Free Democrats.
I probably am - after all, German politics doesn't feature highly in the British media. Which is kind of strange, since the French Presidential election has managed to get quite a large amount of attention.

Time to do the Wikipedia, I think.

The German government runs big debts similar to the US one. One of her big promises was to get the budget under control and thus allow the government to actually prepare for the future without having to worry so much about interest payments.

So she said from day one that she wanted to cut spending and raise the sales taxes. Even when the economy started doing well and the government got record tax intakes she went ahead.
Well, it's got to be done somehow. It's good to see someone looking for long-term prospects than just something to get him/her releected in four years' time.

The Free University in Berlin reckons it cost 1.5 trillion (!) euros. People in the west still pay a 5.5% "solidarity tax" to help rebuild the east.
Even after 16 years? That's quite amazing.