The Economy

Economic policy

Pen on paper with growth curve; Source: iStockphoto.com/blackred

Long-term and continuous economic growth on the basis of the Social Market Economy - that is the clear principle for the Federal Government's economic policy. Following two years of extraordinary annual growth rates, Germany's economy is in an encouragingly robust state in the first half of 2012.

Small business policy

worker

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the heart of Germany's social market economy and serve as the key engine of growth and employment.

Industrial policy

Worker welding metal

Industrial policy must feed into policymaking to prevent barriers to economic activity found in other countries, especially countries outside the EU.

Service industry

women in call center

The service sector, which encompasses a vast spectrum of business activity, is a major driver of economic growth in Germany.

Vocational policy

trainee and instructor

The Ministry aims to provide a clear framework for vocational training to encourage more companies to hire trainees, so as to tackle the skills shortage.

Social market economy

Frau beim Einkauf auf dem Markt

The social market economy aims to protect the freedom of all market participants on both the supply and demand side, while simultaneously ensuring social equity.