"From a longer-term perspective, Germany’s population is ageing and its technological edge is being challenged, while lower incomes have remained stagnant," the annual assessment read.
Germany’s account surplus reached 7.3 percent of its gross domestic product last year. Its fiscal position, the IMF said, is expected to remain well within the recommended limits this year.
"These budgetary resources should be deployed from 2020 onwards to strengthen the economy by promoting innovation, expanding labour supply to counter population ageing, and continuing to fill infrastructure gaps," the IMF said in the paper.
READ MORE: Porsche Says Fined Nearly $600Mln in Germany as Part of Diesel Scandal
It suggested cutting taxes for low-income families. On top of this, faster wage growth could help accelerate real exchange rate appreciation and speed up external rebalancing, the fund said.
"Additional tax relief for low-income households would, alongside continued wage growth, boost their disposable income and consumption, supporting rebalancing," it stated.
The IMF warned that Germany’s technological edge was being challenged by relatively low high-speed Internet coverage, while a slow rollout of emissions tests for cars reflected decreasing external demand.
