First half year 2019: Bavaria is growing faster than the national average
MUNICH In the first half of 2019, Bavaria's gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.9 percent in price-adjusted terms compared with the same period in 2018. As a result, the Free State of Bavaria recorded significantly higher growth both in comparison with the national result (+0.4 per cent) and in relation to the other German states (+0.0 per cent in Baden-Württemberg and +0.1 per cent in North Rhine-Westphalia) and was only exceeded by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (+1.5 per cent).
Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger: "These growth figures prove the stability of the Bavarian economy." With positive growth of 0.9 percent, Bavaria is standing its ground despite current political risks such as Brexit, trade disputes and the Middle East conflict and is doing significantly better than the national average and other German states, according to the Minister. "We owe this robustness in particular to the commitment of employers and employees, as well as to clear policy measures and flexible economic structures."
However, the positive overall economic development should not obscure the fact that individual (industrial) sectors are under particular pressure due to the current challenges. Aiwanger: "Our automotive industry, in particular, is suffering from the uncertainty surrounding drive systems and the decline in export business caused by foreign policy. We must act now and resolutely counter industrial weakness. In addition to measures to strengthen innovation and investment in SMEs and to secure skilled workers, the Federal Government is specifically being called on to provide measures to support the economy and an active location policy. We will also continue to advocate viable solutions at international level. In trade wars and in the event of a no-deal Brexit, there can only be losers."