Last update: 30/05/20112

1. Economic forecasts for Germany

The Commission publishes macroeconomic forecasts for the EU and the Member States twice a year, in the spring (May) and in the autumn (November). These forecasts are produced by the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN).

DG ECFIN also produces more limited "interim forecasts" in February and September, wich contain one-year projections of GDP growth and consumer price inflation for the euro area, the EU and seven large Member States.

>> Macroeconomic forecasts and interim forecasts

2. Monitoring the budgetary situation in Germany

2.1. Assessments of Germany's stability programme

As required by the Stability and Growth Pact, at the end of each year Germany submits an update of the medium-term fiscal strategy it first presented in 1998. Euro area Member States submit stability programmes while countries outside the euro area submit convergence programmes. Based on an assessment by the Commission prepared by DG ECFIN, the Council adopts an opinion on each programme.

>> All programmes of Germany, Commission assessments, Council opinions, working documents

2.2. The EU the excessive deficit procedure and Germany

>> Excessive Deficit Procedure recommendations on Bulgaria, Germany and Hungary: Frequently asked questions
>> Excessive deficit procedure for Germany
>> Related articles. Stability and Growth Pact

2.3. The Public finance report and Germany

The Commission's annual public finance report prepared by DG ECFIN – entitled "Public Finances in EMU" – includes a chapter on Germany.

3. Germany and the euro

Germany is a member of the euro area. It adopted the euro from the start in 1999.

>> The euro area
>> Germany and the euro

4. Germany and economic policy coordination in the EU

As part of the Europe 2020 strategy for a smart, sustainable and inclusive EU economy, Germany reports each autumn on the implementation of its national reform programme (NRP).

>> National reform programme and Commission assessment

5. ECFIN publications and Germany

5.1. The EU and Germany

>> EMU@10 website on Germany
>> Raising Germany’s growth potential(Occasional Papers 2/2007)

5.2. Country Focus on Germany

>> German consumption: is there hope for a revival?(June 2008)
>> Upswing in Germany: how long will it last?(April 2007)
>> Germany's investment gloom: light at the end of the tunnel? (October 2005)
>> Domestic gloom and export boom: a look at German competitiveness(April 2005)
>> Transfers to Germany's eastern Länder: a necessary price for convergence or a permanent drag?(October 2004)
>> Labour market reform in Germany: Fact or fiction?(February 2004)
>> EU Economy Review 2006(January 2006)