The German government has once again achieved a record surplus. The Federal government, Länder, municipalities and social funds took last year, 58 billion euros more than they spent, how the Federal statistics office. In a first estimate, the authority was assumed to be 59.2 billion euros.
The German state achieved in spite of a slowdown at the end of the year already for the fifth year in a row, a Surplus. It is the highest value since reunification. Based on the economic performance, the increase was 1.7 percent.
reason for the positive development is the still strong economy with record employment and rising wages. As a result, the state grew revenue 4.7 percent more than the expenditure of 3.2 percent. Due to the still very low interest rates and a lower Debt interest are also spending again decreased, informed the statistics Agency. They decreased by 8.5 percent.
The highest Surplus of the Federal scored according to the statistics, with 17.9 billion euros. The social insurance closed the year with a Plus of 14.9 billion euros. The municipalities there is a Surplus of 14.0 billion Euro, the countries remained at 11.1 billion euros.
economy escapes recession
The gross domestic product stagnated from October to December, according to data from the Federal Statistical office, however, on the level of the previous quarter. The German economy has escaped just a recession. In the third quarter of the year the decline in economic performance of 0.2 per cent. In the case of two negative quarters in a row, talk of a recession.
One of the main reason for the weak result, the problems of the auto industry. The transition to the new emission test cycle triggered a registration traffic jam and led to a loss of production.
for The full year 2018, the gross domestic product grew by 1.4 percent. The Federal government expects in the current year with a growth of 1.0 percent. The weaker global economy, trade conflicts and the risks of Brexit have led to a poorer prognosis.