Germany is thriving because its companies make high quality products that people value. With a population of 82 million, its export revenue nearly equals China's. Germany annually exports $1.3 trillion in goods -- over $200 billion than it imports.
German workers log in less hours than workers in Italy or Greece -- Germans work 'smarter'. Germans save 11% of their disposable household income -- twice that of Italians or Americans.
For the rest of the story, google "Kurzarbeit" and also click on link:
http://theweek.com/article/index/223191/the-german-economic-colossus
