DIW Weekly Report

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20 Years of Common European Monetary Policy: Reasons to Celebrate

Twenty years after the introduction of the euro, this Weekly Report uses an empirical analysis to assess the performance of monetary policy in the EMU founding states. It is often claimed that the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) cannot outperform its national predecessors, as the euro area countries experience different business cycles yet share a common interest rate. However, the ...

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Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Can Help Contain Resistance to Antibiotics

Improving physicians’ prescription practices is a primary strategy for countering the rise in resistance to antibiotics. This would prevent physicians from incorrectly prescribing antibiotics, one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance. The increasing availability of medical data and methods of machine learning provide an opportunity to generate instant diagnoses. In the present study, the example ...

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Global Responsibilities: Renewable Energies, Climate Policy, Migratory Pressure: Reports

A Stable and Social Europe: Fiscal Rules, a Stabilization Fund, Insolvency Rules, Gender Quota, Gender Pension Gaps, and Education: Reports

Competitiveness and Convergence: Trade, Merger Control, Industry, and Innovation: Reports

Europe Must Focus on Its Strengths: Editorial

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In Germany, Younger, Better Educated Persons, and Lower Income Groups Are More Likely to Be in Favor of Unconditional Basic Income

Representative survey results have shown a stable approval rate for implementing unconditional basic income of between 45 and 52 percent in Germany since 2016/17. In European comparison, this approval rate is low. Younger, better educated persons, and those at risk of poverty support the concept of unconditional basic income in Germany. But these demographics are not the only factors that correlate ...

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The Low-Wage Sector in Germany Is Larger Than Previously Assumed

The total number of dependent employees in Germany has increased by more than four million since the financial crisis. Part of this growth took place in the low-wage sector. Analyses based on data from the Socio-Economic Panel, which in 2017 for the first time include detailed information on secondary employment, show that there were around nine million low-wage employment contracts in Germany that ...

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Ecological Tax Revenue Still Yields Lower Pension Contributions and Higher Pensions Today

The ecological tax reform that Germany implemented between 1999 and 2003 increased energy tax rates—especially on gasoline and diesel. Today, the ecological tax hikes yield an annual revenue of around 20 billion euros or 0.6 percent of GDP. The money is used to finance a higher federal grant to the public pension scheme. Calculations based on a pension simulation model show that the contribution rate ...

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German Economy in Recession: Bridging Pinch Points, Building Confidence, Boosting Demand: Editorial

German Economy Remaining Strong amidst Uncertainties: DIW Economic Outlook

Although the economic boom in Germany is over, a recession is not looming. The economy is still expected to grow by 1.0 percent this year despite its recent weaker performance. Consumption remains a mainstay of the economy; the average annual increase in the number of employees is likely to be just under half a million. At 1.5 percent, inflation is barely dampening purchasing power and together with ...

The Global Economy and the Euro Area: Weak International Trade, Robust Domestic Demand: DIW Economic Outlook

The current global economic environment remains harsh. Global growth rates stagnated in the fourth quarter of 2018, particularly affected by foreign trade. DIW Berlin’s forecast indicates global economic growth of 3.7 percent for 2019 and 3.6 percent for 2020. Positive stimuli are expected from catch-up effects (in the European automobile industry, for example) and the continued positive development ...

German Economy Growing despite Uncertainties and Risks; Global Economy Continuing to Cool Down: Editorial