Relative living standards in Germany, France, Italy and Spain since the introduction of the euro
We look at the change since 1999 in relative living standards in Germany , France, Italy and Spain. We see: Catch-up with Germany’s standard of living in France, Spain and Italy until 2008; Since 2008, a decline in living standards in these countries relative to Germany. What accounts for th is divergence ? Productivity gains in Spain and Italy; The need to reduce domestic demand to eliminate the external deficit due to the end of capital mobility between the countries (leading to a slowdown in credit, fiscal deficit reduction, etc.) in Spain and Italy; An uncorrected decline in cost competitiveness and profitability, resulting in a decline in investment and exports, in Italy and to a lesser degree in France.