Essay: "Who expects additional efforts must show what it's for" - The Siemens CEO explains what vision of the future Germany needs now

In the realm of physics, a fundamental principle emerges: power is equivalent to work done over time. This concept bears striking resemblance to the dynamics of a nation's economy. The prosperity of an entire economy is contingent upon how much work is being done and the value generated from that labor. To reap the rewards, society must invest in several key areas: quality education, dependable infrastructure, and social security.

Germany does not currently face a traditional labor market crunch. Instead, it confronts a future crisis – one unparalleled in the history of the Federal Republic. Two primary factors contribute to this challenge. First, the aging population is retiring in droves, leaving fewer individuals in the workforce to shoulder the financial burden of an aging society.

Simultaneously, Germany's productive edge, which propelled its success for decades, is gradually eroding. German factories now incur higher costs but also generate more value per hour of labor. This advantage is diminishing as competitors worldwide improve their efficiency.

The rapid pace of technological change compounds the pressure. Emerging technologies, most notably artificial intelligence, are fundamentally altering the way products are developed and manufactured, as well as the locations where future growth and productivity will emerge. While Germany remains a formidable competitor internationally, it is falling behind.

The equation that once underpinned our prosperity no longer holds true – we are working less, investing insufficiently, and lagging behind in pace. However, this predicament is not immutable. By rallying a sufficient number of citizens to tackle these issues head-on, we can reverse this trajectory.