Since the poorer countries are supposed to catch up with the EMU average, they have to go on growing more strongly than those countries which have already achieved a high level of income. A comparatively low level of growth in an already advanced country should therefore not have too much importance attached to it. II.
Labour market problems  One very important - if not the most important - reason for the inadequate pace of economic growth in Germany is the continuing heavy burden of taxes and social security contributions as well as strict regulations in parts of the economy.