Germany: The hidden crisis
We could now think that Germany's economic situation is good: external surplus , budget surplus, very low unemployment and strong job creation, rapid wage growth. But the severe structural deterioration of the German economy should not be ignored: Cost competitiveness has deteriorated sharply; Corporate profitability is deteriorating, which is affecting investment; Manufacturing industry is in recession and contraction, due to the competitiveness problem as well as the unfavourable productive specialisation; The dependence on global trade is negative, given the lasting slowdown in global trade; The cost of the energy transition is going to be considerable; German households’ concern is reflected in a very marked rise in the savings rate; The decline in employment is now hidden by the presence of significant overstaffing in compan ies . So there is really reason for concern about Germany's medium-term prospects .