Germany remains the largest net contributor in the EU. Is Poland inactive the biggest beneficiary?
Despite the economical crisis, Germany remains by far the largest net contributor in the European Union.
Last year, Europe's largest economy contributed EUR 13.1 billion more to the common EU budget than it received from it, according to the analysis of the Institute of German Economy in Cologne.
However, the weak economical situation in Germany is clear: in 2022 net contributions amounted to EUR 19.7 billion, in 2023 EUR 17.4 billion. The current value is about the average of years before the brexit (2014-2020), erstwhile the UK besides continued to contribute to the common budget.
Net all German citizen paid around EUR 157 to the EU budget last year – this besides means first place, before Ireland (EUR 130).
Poland's biggest beneficiary? No! No!
The second largest net contributors of the EU are France, which last year carried a EUR 4.8 billion more than it received. The 3rd place is taken by Italy with a net contribution of EUR 1.6 billion.
The largest net beneficiary is Greece (€3.5 billion), before Poland (€2.9 billion) and Romania (€2.7 billion). In 2023 Poland was a strong leader with an amount of €8.1 billion.
"The EU budget is simply a reflection of Europe's economical forces", said IW expert Samina Sultan. Countries with advanced growth, specified as Poland, have late received little support. “Germany and France are presently struggling,” added Sultan. "They besides see their economical crisis in decreasing contributions to the EU budget.
Forecast: German contribution will decrease
Due to the continued low growth compared to another EU countries, Germany's contribution is likely to proceed to decline, the IW forecast.
By 2020, the European Commission itself published statistic on net contributors and beneficiaries, but present for political reasons it has resigned. "Although the effects of European integration cannot only be reduced to the net position of the associate States, their calculation is inactive crucial for transparency", the Cologne Institute emphasises.
