Report
Patrick Artus

Is Germany weathering the rise in labour costs?

For several years, the functioning of the labour market has changed significantly in Germany: wages have risen sharply, the income distribution is becoming more favourable to employees, whereas for a long time it was skewed in favour of companies; a minimum wage has been introduced The question then is the risk of Germany losing its cost-competitiveness as a result of rising labour costs. So are there risks of a structural deterioration in Germany’s economic situation? For this deterioration not to occur, Germany’s level of product sophistication will have to be so high and the goods and services produced will have to be so sophisticated that the rise in costs does not reduce demand for these products. Since 2017, Germany has no longer gained market share and its industrial trade surplus and industrial production have declined. Despite the high level of product sophistication, Germany’s declining cost competitiveness is beginning to have some effects.
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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