{
  "id": 17733812,
  "title": "Construction policy: Expensive rents eat up higher wages: Rich consultants see massive growth brake in expensive apartments",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/baupolitik-teure-mieten-fressen-hohere-lohne-auf-reiche-berater-sehen",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-02T03:03:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/wohnungsbau-reiche-berater-sehen-in-teuren-wohnungen-massive-wachstumsbremse/100265867.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Germany's housing shortage and high rents are hindering the country's economic growth and productivity, according to a report by the scientific advisory board at the Federal Ministry of Economics. The board, consisting of 37 economists and lawyers, found that high housing costs are deterring workers from moving to growth regions, resulting in significant economic losses. In 2023, workers would have to pay almost 1% more for housing costs if they took a job that paid 1% more, compared to 0.3-0.4% in 2000. The report recommends making it easier and more economically attractive for municipalities to allocate land for construction.",
  "summary": "An expert report by the advisory board at the Ministry of Economics shows that a lack of housing prevents many job changes and thus slows down growth. The experts want to change this - with a controversial idea.",
  "key_points": [
    "High rent prices and housing shortage impact Germany's economy",
    "High living costs hinder workforce mobility in growth regions",
    "Creating more housing in growth regions crucial for economic growth"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Escalating rental costs act as a structural barrier to economic expansion by trapping labor in stagnant regions and preventing skilled workers from filling essential vacancies in growing markets.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}