Report
Patrick Artus

Can the euro zone survive the heterogeneous functioning of labour markets?

Labour markets do not function the same way in the various euro-zone countries, due to very different institutions and rules from one country to another. The consequence is that, spontaneously, there is a divergence between labour costs and profitability from one euro-zone country to another. This divergence could be corrected by internal devaluations (drastic adjustments in labour costs), but these are very costly in terms of activity, they are rejected in many countries, and in fact amount to making the functioning of labour markets periodically homogeneous. Can a currency area function if the labour markets have a heterogeneous functioning? We believe the answer is no: Countries where cost competitiveness deteriorates will gradually lose their industry and suffer from low growth (the case of Italy); Countries where corporate profitability is lowest will either reduce their investments (Italy) or see co nstantly increasing corporate debt (France). These developments ultimately threaten the currency area's existence.
Provider
Natixis
Natixis

Based across the world’s leading financial centers, Natixis CIB Research offers an integrated view of the markets. The team provides support to inform Natixis clients’ investment and hedging decisions across all asset classes.

 

Analysts
Patrick Artus

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