2019 Imprint
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Annual Report of the Federal Government on the Status of German Unity 2019 Imprint Publisher Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Public Relations Division 11019 Berlin www.bmwi.de Status August 2019 Print MKL Druck GmbH und Co. KG, 48346 Ostbevern Design PRpetuum GmbH, 80801 Munich Photo credits gettyimages / bgblue / Title This brochure is published as part of the public relations work of the Fed- eral Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. It is distributed free of charge and is not intended for sale. The distribution of this brochure at campaign events or at information stands run by political parties is pro- hibited, and political party-related information or advertising shall not be inserted in, printed on, or affixed to this publication. 1 Annual Report of the Federal Government on the Status of German Unity 2019 2 Contents Part A . 10 I . 30 Years After the Peaceful Revolution . 11 II . Progress in convergence of standards of living in the east and west . 11 1. Economic growth.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 2. Strong drop in unemployment in the east ...............................................................................................................................................................................12 3. Demography ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 4. Attitudes and level of contentment ...............................................................................................................................................................................................13 III . The task of reunification . 14 1. Security policy after the Cold War ..................................................................................................................................................................................................14 2. Germany is now at the heart of a united Europe .................................................................................................................................................................14 IV . Solidarity with structurally weak regions in all of Germany . 15 1. The future of structural and regional assistance after the Solidarity Pact has ended ..............................................................................16 2. Securing a future for the lignite mining regions..................................................................................................................................................................16 3. Creating jobs by decentralising the Federal Administration.......................................................................................................................................17 4. Creating a skilled workforce ................................................................................................................................................................................................................17 V . Reunified Germany: varying experiences on a shared path . 17 Part B: Report . 19 I . Improving economic strength, accomplishing social unity . 20 1. Economic development in eastern Germany .........................................................................................................................................................................20 2. Promoting investment, start-ups, innovation and internationalisation ...........................................................................................................22 2.1. Assistance for structurally weak regions .......................................................................................................................................................................22 2.2. Financing investment and growth.....................................................................................................................................................................................23 2.3. Start-ups.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................25 2.4. Promoting innovation and research.................................................................................................................................................................................26 2.5. Internationalization . .32 2.6. Business clusters ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................33 2.7. Digital transformation ................................................................................................................................................................................................................33 3. European Structural Fund ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................34 4. Commission for Growth, Structural Change and Employment...............................................................................................................................35 CONTENTS 3 5. Labour market and securing skilled workers..........................................................................................................................................................................36 5.1. Labour market ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................36 5.1.1. Employment trend ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................36 5.1.2. Development of the labour market ...................................................................................................................................................................36 5.1.3. Training and continuing education....................................................................................................................................................................38 5.2. Tackling the skills shortage......................................................................................................................................................................................................39 5.2.1. The need for skilled labour .........................................................................................................................................................................................39 5.2.2. Measures to secure skilled workers ......................................................................................................................................................................39 5.2.3. Inclusion ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................44 5.2.4. Immigration of qualified workers and integrating refugees into the labour market .....................................................45 6. Wages, income, pensions ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................48 6.1. Wage development ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................48 6.2. Collective bargaining coverage .............................................................................................................................................................................................52 6.3. Income situation of private households ........................................................................................................................................................................52 6.4. Pensions and pension alignment ........................................................................................................................................................................................53 II . Creating equivalent living conditions . 56 1. Equivalent Living Conditions Commission.............................................................................................................................................................................56 2. Financial health of the federal states and municipalities ..............................................................................................................................................57 2.1. Financial situation of the eastern