On 24 February, the annual Leibniz Economic Summit focused on Germany’s structural economic challenges and potential solutions. Representatives from all economic research institutes within the Leibniz Association took part in the discussion, including Florian Heider, Marcel Fratzscher, Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, Clemens Fuest, Reint Gropp, Hanna Hottenrott, Kerstin Schneider, and Moritz Schularick. There was broad agreement that Germany’s economy faces structural problems, requires courageous reforms, and more cooperation on the European level. At the same time, positive economic signs are mainly driven by sectors benefiting from government investment in infrastructure and the military.
Florian Heider addressed the perceived discrepancy between economic weaknesses and the stock markets, which are performing surprisingly well. He said Germany continues to appeal capital investment, especially from the USA, and argued that broader stock market participation among the German society would ensure to benefit from this growth: “We don't have a stock market culture. For many, the financial sector is still seen as something latently evil.” He therefore called for reforms of the pension system and more financial literacy in Germany.
Rewatch the Leibniz Economic Summit (in German)
