While Germany remained the biggest contributor to mechanisms aimed at shoring up the euro in nominal terms, earmarking EUR 56.1bn for the cause, its contribution as a share of GDP amounted to 2.1%, which put it in fifth place.

According to the EU's statistics office, Slovenia contributed EUR 972m to euro stability mechanisms, making it first in terms of contribution in real terms at 2.8% of GDP.

Also contributing more than Germany in real terms were Malta (2.7% of GDP), Spain (2.4%) and Cyprus (2.3%). The latter two have received assistance from euro stability mechanisms to shore up their troubled banking sectors.