Projected growth of Germany's economy in the initial half of the year is estimated to amount to approximately one-fifth of its GDP.

In the last quarter-century, Germany's economy has maintained a high level of competitiveness, consistently ranking among the world's top economies. However, a closer look at the data reveals a more nuanced picture.

Since the turn of the millennium, the growth rates of Germany's and France's GDP have been remarkably similar. This unexpected near-equality is counterintuitive at first glance, particularly considering Germany's initial situation in the 2000s. At that time, Germany was experiencing zero growth, while France was enjoying modest but real increases in its national wealth.

Despite this initial disparity, Germany's economy began to recover, and since 2000, its GDP has increased by 14.3% in volume, according to Eurostat data. This growth, while significant, is not as significantly higher as previously thought. The question of what Germany's economic model truly represents is still being explored, but one thing is clear: the German economy has been able to bounce back from a challenging start.

This recovery has led to a shift in the economic landscape between Germany and France. For the past 25 years, France's economic competitiveness has been lower than Germany's. However, the exact year when France's economic growth overtook Germany's was in 2023, as Germany's GDP declined by 0.9% while France experienced growth. This contrasting economic trajectory is reflected in France's GDP growth of 14.1% since 2000.

The well-established idea that Germany has always led the growth race is not fully confirmed by the statistical facts. In fact, France has been downgraded in comparison to Germany's competitiveness. Some argue that the German economy is now simply catching up on the ground it lost at the beginning of the 2000s.

The debate about Germany's economic model continues to be a topic of discussion. One factor that contributes to its competitiveness is the level of prices, which have been relatively stable compared to other European countries. However, there is an ongoing debate about wage increases in Germany, which could impact its economic trajectory in the future.

As the world watches the economic landscape, long-term predictions about Germany being the winner in economic growth may need to be reevaluated. The ranking of Germany in the Top 10 most competitive economies is a recent development, and it remains to be seen how this trend will continue in the coming years.