[ackidacki]

GDP growth, consumption growth, manageability of debt, standard of life, employment rate. The central question being not "how big is it because of the euro" but "is it better because of the euro"

Germany and Benelux are high but problematic in areas of consumption. 41% of the German Economy is export orientated (meaning consumption is extremely low) and while employment rates are high, employment isn't completely 'full time', wages lag productivity significantly (pay is relatively bad) and debts in the private sector are heavily problematic. Not to mention Germany's population demographics don't have a bright future.

Contrast this to economies with their own currencies - the UK, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Denmark - which aren't dogged down by such problems. Sweden had a housing crash last year and is managing just fine despite it.

If the EZ had another crash it would be debatable whether it can still hold strong - a point reinforced by France's Finance Minister himself.

[NicoJuicy]

What do you mean, problematic on areas of consumption? ( From BE, fyi )

[ackidacki]

In simple terms most of Benelux & German GDP doesn't make its way into citizens pockets, as a result pay is relatively poor and has an impact on the standard of living. This is a result of official policy (Tarifeinheitsgesetz) meant to make labour more competitive.

If you look up GDP it is pretty big, but if you look up wages you will find its relatively bad.