Population developments are posing challenges for the German labour market and government finances. The scale of these challenges depends on how long people work and when they retire. This issue is addressed in the Bundesbank’s current Monthly Report. It analyses when people covered by the statutory pension insurance scheme (insurees) retire and discusses what might boost employment. The report also shows how reductions and increases for early or late retirement could be determined.

Europe should stay on course and remain an attractive place to work. And I think this generation here has a vital role to play in that, said Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel at the two-day international conference “Young Factor” held in Milan by the Osservatorio Permanente Giovani-Editori with the aim of improving financial literacy. Over 350 school pupils attended this year’s event to discuss financial literacy and the European Union with the governors of several Eurosystem central banks. 

In March 2024, the ECB Governing Council approved changes to the Eurosystem’s operational framework for implementing monetary policy. The Bundesbank’s economists provide an overview of the adjustments and an outlook for the review of the technical design in 2026 in the current issue of the Monthly Report. 

Im April 2025 wies die Leistungsbilanz einen Überschuss von 20 Mrd. € auf (nach 51 Mrd. € im Vormonat).

Monetary policy meets urban policy – this was the theme of a podium discussion with Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel and Sven Schulze, Mayor of Chemnitz, that took place as part of festivities celebrating “Chemnitz 2025”. The two answered questions from visitors and the moderator on the topics of inflation, the digital euro and economic growth.