The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers with around 125 million* private and corporate customers in nearly 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 737 billion euros** on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage about 1.7 trillion euros** of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are among the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2023, over 157,000 employees achieved total business volume of 161.7 billion euros and an operating profit of 14.7 billion euros for the group.
Bridging the gap:
Unveiling the economic divide between the U.S. and Eurozone
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The growing economic divide
The report highlights a staggering increase in the economic gap between the regions: Since 1999, the economic disparity has grown from 11% to 30%, with the average American enjoying a 35% higher real income than the average European, a gap that has widened significantly since the 2008 financial crisis.
The drivers behind U.S. dominance
Several key factors give the U.S. an upper hand. These include:
- More flexible economic policies, aided by lower government funding costs.
- The advantage of lower energy costs, a boon in times of energy and geopolitical uncertainty.
- A significant lead in the technology sector, underpinned by better access to early-stage financing and international talent.
- Strong demographics profile and natural resource availability, crucial for powering the green transition.
Europe’s challenges
In contrast, Europe's challenges stem largely from self-imposed constraints:
- Over-regulation and red tape are stifling productivity growth.
- Fragmented capital markets that limit efficient funding.
- Complex and backlog-prone EU programs, impeding economic development.
- Political and national interests hindering initiatives like the Capital Markets Union.
The green…silver lining
Yet, it's not all doom and gloom for the Eurozone. Europe is spearheading the green transition, with significantly lower CO2 emissions and a lead in green goods trade. This shift toward a green economy offers a beacon of hope, potentially generating jobs and offsetting the impacts of deindustrialization in declining sectors.
To regain its competitive edge, the Eurozone must act swiftly and decisively. Key areas of focus should include:
- Cutting down on red tape and over-regulation.
- Revitalizing the Capital Markets Union.
- Streamlining the absorption of EU funds.
- Strengthening European industrial policies to mitigate subsidy races.
Europe's economic revitalization hinges on structural reforms, financial integration, and the completion of initiatives like the Banking Union. The choices made now will significantly impact the region's economic future.
This Allianz Research report is not just a collection of data and trends; it's a call to action for policymakers and business leaders alike. You can find the detailed analysis here.
About Allianz
* Including non-consolidated entities with Allianz customers.
** As of December 31, 2023.
** As of December 31, 2023.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
As with all content published on this site, these statements are subject to our cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements:
