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Large metal parts are unloaded in the general cargo area of the Rostock Port overseas port. © Jens Büttner/dpa/archive image
The companies in MV defied higher energy prices in 2023 and, bucking the national trend, grew the most in Germany. However, the average wage is the lowest nationwide.
Schwerin - The economy in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was robust in 2023 and recorded the highest growth compared to the federal states. As the State Statistical Office announced on Thursday, the gross domestic product rose by 3.3 percent compared to the previous year, adjusted for prices.
Although employees were able to enjoy wage and salary increases of an average of 5.9 percent, the gap to the German average increased. The per capita gross wage reached 84.4 percent of the German average last year, after 84.6 percent the year before. MV was in last place in the federal state comparison, as the office calculated.
Employees in MV received an average gross annual salary of 35,646 euros, compared to the national average of 42,213 euros. Small companies and little industry are generally considered to be the reasons for poorer pay. An above-average number of people in the Northeast work for the minimum wage.
GDP - i.e. the value of all goods and services produced - fell by 0.3 percent nationwide last year. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania contributed 1.4 percent of Germany's total economic output of 4.1 trillion euros with 59 billion euros.
The manufacturing sector in the northeast recorded a strong increase, increasing by 6.5 percent. Industry proved to be a particular driver, increasing its economic output by 19.3 percent, contrary to the negative national trend. With a decline of 4.1 percent, the construction industry in MV, however, recorded a significantly greater decline than in other federal states.
In the service sector, which makes the largest contribution to GDP in the northeast at almost 69 percent, gross value added rose by 2.8 percent. Trade, transport, warehousing, hospitality and communication grew particularly strongly at 9.2 percent. Statistics show a decline of 0.6 percent for agriculture and forestry, including fishing.
The number of employed people fell by 0.2 percent. The GDP per employed person in MV grew by 3.5 percent to 77,900 euros. This value reached 86.8 percent of the national average.
According to Economics Minister Reinhard Meyer (SPD), the increase in gross domestic product shows the resilience of the country's economy, which is predominantly small and medium-sized, and its comparatively lower dependence on international developments. “Economy is also psychology, the current figures help. The situation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is apparently better than some say,” he stated. The state government will continue to support companies in the state in growing solidly and doing well even in difficult economic situations. dpa