Suchergebnisse

Cover -- CONTENTS -- CONTEXT -- OUTLOOK AND RISKS -- POLICY DISCUSSIONS -- A. Addressing External Imbalances by Restoring Household Purchasing Power -- B. Fiscal Policy to Boost Potential Growth and Support Rebalancing -- C. Boosting Productivity Growth and Private Investment -- D. Shoring up Financial-Sector Profitability while Preventing Buildup of Financial Risks -- E. Tackling the Supply-Side of Corruption -- STAFF APPRAISAL -- BOXES -- 1. Corporate Saving, Top Income and Wealth Inequality, and External Imbalances -- 2. The Impact of Potential US Auto Tariffs on Germany -- FIGURES -- 1. Evolution of Unemployment and Stagnation of Lower Incomes -- 2. Bank Credit to the Nonfinancial Sector -- 3. Evolution and Distribution of Real Income -- 4. Fiscal Positions at Länder Level -- 5. Labor Productivity Growth -- 6. Supply-Side Constraints -- 7. Residential and Commercial Real Estate Indicators -- 8. German Banks' Risk Provisioning and Tier 1 Capital Ratio -- 9. Change in LTV for New Mortgage Loans -- 10. Growth Developments -- 11. Prices and Labor Market -- 12. Balance of Payments -- 13. Fiscal Developments and Outlook -- 14. Credit Conditions and Asset Prices -- 15. Recent Developments in the German Banking Sector -- 16. Housing Market Developments -- 17. Product Market Competition, Innovation, and Digitalization -- TABLES -- 1. Selected Economic Indicators, 2016-20 -- 2. General Government Operations, 2016-24 -- 3. Medium Term Projections, 2016-24 -- 4. Balance of Payments, 2016-24 -- 5. International Investment Position, 2010-18 -- 6. Core Financial Soundness Indicators for Banks, 2013-18 -- 7. Additional Financial Soundness Indicators, 2013-18 -- ANNEXES -- I. External Sector Assessment -- II. Risk Assessment Matrix -- III. Public Debt Sustainability Analysis -- IV. Authorities' Response to Past IMF Policy Recommendations.

In the face of rapid population ageing and the trend towards early retirement, there is a need to promote better employment opportunities for older people. Much has been said about the need for reform of old-age pensions and early retirement schemes but this may not be sufficient to raise employment rates for older people significantly or to reduce the future risk of labor shortages. Both governments and firms will need to take active measures to adapt wage setting to ageing workforces, to address the extent to which other welfare schemes act as pathways to early retirement, to tackle age discrimination and to improve the job skills and working conditions of older workers. In addition, older workers will need to change their own attitudes towards working longer and acquiring new skills. Little is known about what countries have been doing or should be doing in these areas. This report contains a survey of the main barriers to employment for older workers, an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to overcome these barriers and a set of policy recommendations for further action by the public authorities and social partners.--Publisher summary

KEY ISSUESContext:? Germany fundamentals are sound: balance sheets are generally healthy,unemployment is at a historic low, and the fiscal position is strong.? While a recovery is underway, medium-term growth prospects are subdued and thecurrent account surplus remains high. The economy also faces a still weakinternational environment, lingering uncertainty (including about future energycosts), and fast approaching adverse demographic changes.? Germany could do more to increase its growth, thus strengthening its role as anengine of euro area recovery.Policy recommendations:? Germany has the fi

This study of the education system of Germany is part of the handbook "The education systems of Europe" which presents an analytical description of the education systems of all European countries, following common guidelines. The study begins with the historical and socio-cultural background of the German educational system which is followed by the description of the organizational and administrative context of the current education system. The next step is the functioning of the current education system, beginning with a structural overview and followed by an analysis of the different levels of the education system, including, as a separate chapter, post-secondary and tertiary education. The country study ends with an analysis of current problems and discussions, and opens perspectives for further development. A diagram illustrating the structural scheme of the German educational system is part of this article. (DIPF/Orig./Kie.).

Draws on event coverage (total N = 2,470) in the Berlin-based daily newspaper, die tageszeitung (the taz) to explore 1988-1997 German environmental protest. Discussion opens with an overview of German environmentalism, whose 1970s emergence was marked by three concurrent advances: development of local & independent citizen action groups, revitalization of extant nature conservation groups, & emergence of loose networks of individuals & groups given to a general conception of political ecology. There was a significant but not dramatic change in the number of protests, peaking in 1988 & hitting its nadir in 1991. Aggregate data show relatively stable protest activity since 1993/94. Regional variation is discussed, indicating that Lower Saxony had the largest number of protests, seen as a function of the nuclear energy issue, which was the target of 50+% of all environmental protests. Four forms of protest are distinguished: conventional, demonstrative, confrontational, & property/person violence. These are then linked to the protest issues, with confrontational & violent protests most connected to energy. Attention turns to protest organization; the networking of organizations; & the territorial (subnational, national, & transnational) levels of mobilization. It is concluded that the German environmental movement is not in decline, with no remarkable change in protest patterns over time. The continuity of the nuclear energy issue over time is contemplated in closing. 8 Tables, 5 Figures. J. Zendejas

Draws on event coverage (total N = 2,470) in the Berlin-based daily newspaper, die tageszeitung (the taz) to explore 1988-1997 German environmental protest. Discussion opens with an overview of German environmentalism, whose 1970s emergence was marked by three concurrent advances: development of local & independent citizen action groups, revitalization of extant nature conservation groups, & emergence of loose networks of individuals & groups given to a general conception of political ecology. There was a significant but not dramatic change in the number of protests, peaking in 1988 & hitting its nadir in 1991. Aggregate data show relatively stable protest activity since 1993/94. Regional variation is discussed, indicating that Lower Saxony had the largest number of protests, seen as a function of the nuclear energy issue, which was the target of 50+% of all environmental protests. Four forms of protest are distinguished: conventional, demonstrative, confrontational, & property/person violence. These are then linked to the protest issues, with confrontational & violent protests most connected to energy. Attention turns to protest organization; the networking of organizations; & the territorial (subnational, national, & transnational) levels of mobilization. It is concluded that the German environmental movement is not in decline, with no remarkable change in protest patterns over time. The continuity of the nuclear energy issue over time is contemplated in closing. 8 Tables, 5 Figures. J. Zendejas

This review of Germany's environmental conditions and policies evaluates progress in reducing the pollution burden, improving natural resource management, integrating environmental and economic policies, and strengthening international co-operation. The analyses presented are supported by a broad range of economic and environmental data