German real wages rose less sharply in 2016 due to inflation - study

Real wages for German workers with collective agreements rose less sharply in 2016 than in the previous two years, a study showed on Thursday, suggesting consumers' purchasing power is being hit by rising inflation. Household spending has become the most important driver of economic expansion in Germany as consumers are benefiting from record-high employment, increased job security, rising wages and low borrowing costs. The study by the Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) showed nomi