By raising the ceiling up to which they are taken, the government hopes thereby to stabilise them at 19.3% of gross wages less than they might have reached, but still up from today's 19.1%.

ECONOMIST: Germany's new government

For instance, Spain, a country which accounts for 12.0% of the euro zone's gross domestic product (GDP), had a relatively large, 5.0% rise in wages.

FORBES: Waging War On Wages

That will scupper the government's pledge to bring health and other social-welfare contributions below the equivalent of 40% of gross wages.

ECONOMIST: Germany