The large euro-zone countries' growth must be assessed by comparing it to their potential growth
The growth forecasts for 2019 show anaemic growth in Italy, low growth in Germany, decent growth in France and quite growth in Spain. But t he countries' growth must be assessed by comparing it to their potential growth . A t the end of 2018, it was: 1.6% per year in Germany; 1.2% per year in France; 0.3% per year in Italy; 0.4% per year in Spain. So in 2019, it looks like only Germany will have a growth rate below potential growth. Growth is very low in Italy, but nevertheless higher than potential growth. What explains this particular weakness of the German economy? It is due to: The loss of cost-competitiveness and, as a result, market share losses; The high weight of indust ry and the global cyclical slowdown in industry (automotive, capital goods, etc.); The growing precautionary savings among German consumers.