https://graphics.reuters.com/GERMANY-POLITICS/MERKEL/mopankkkova/
How is the economy under Merkel?
CHANGE IN GDP SINCE 2005
60%
40
GERMANY 34%
20
FRANCE 19%
SPAIN 11%
UK 7%
ITALY 2%
0
-20
2005
2010
2015
2020
Source: World Bank
Note: GDP in current US dollars
Germany’s economy has grown by 34% since the start of Merkel’s tenure — 15 percentage points more than its nearest EU rival, France.
In addition to sound stewardship, some of this was thanks to good fortune: Under Merkel's rule, Germany has benefitted from strong demand in fast-growing economies like China for its high-end engineering goods.
Reforms made by her predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, to reduce taxes, merge unemployment and welfare benefits and increase the flexibility of the labor market also paid dividends.
