The International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes that Germany's growth momentum remains solid. In particular, robust domestic demand and increasing employment make Germany an "engine of growth in the euro area", IMF experts explain.

The costs of payment methods for consumers are difficult to determine, not recorded in a harmonised manner on an international level and consequently vary significantly from country to country. For this reason, a separate study is necessary for Germany. As part of a representative survey conducted in 2023, households were asked about the costs they incurred when using various means of payment. 

The Bundesbank's current projection forecasts strong growth in the German economy in 2017 and 2018, with calendar-adjusted expansion rates of 2.6% and 2.5% respectively. The Bank's experts are expecting lower growth rates thereafter. "The further growth potential is being constrained, above all, by strong capacity utilisation and, in particular, labour shortages," said Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann.