Around one and a half million people immigrated to Germany in 2015, including many from Syria, who were fleeing from the civil war in their home country. Far fewer immigrants are expected to arrive in 2016, as other European countries have closed their borders and the Balkan route has also been blocked. In the face of this wave of immigrants, Germany’s population showed an amazing willingness to help people fleeing war and political repression. That was impressive. But what are the economic implications of the immigration wave?

Statement — 18 March 2020

ifo Viewpoint 215: The Coronavirus Epidemic: Economic Consequences and the Need for Political Action

The current coronavirus crisis is plunging Germany into a complex economic crisis, the dimensions of which many people still underestimate. It is exposing the German economy to a simultaneous supply and demand shock. In addition, there is a risk that the supply of credit to the economy will be disrupted and that the sovereign debt crisis in the euro area will return. In terms of economic policy, the right response involves a combination of massive support measures that must be targeted precisely and enacted quickly.

EBDC Data Set – EBDC Business Expectations Panel

EBDC Business Expectations Panel (2019)

Data set of EBDC Panel Data.
10.7805/ebdc-bep-2019

Statement — 29 September 2017

ifo Viewpoint No. 189: Germany’s “Jamaica” Coalition and its Economic Policy

The recent Bundestag elections have transformed the political landscape in Germany. The grand coalition has been kicked out and the extreme right-wing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which often peddles provocative populist slogans, is now present in Germany’s parliament. This is causing quite a commotion, overshadowing the fact the AfD actually only won 13 percent of votes, and will not participate in government. It is time for politics to focus on the question of how a new government can be formed and what needs to be done for Germany to master the challenges ahead and effectively exploit opportunities in the future.

EBDC Data Set – EBDC Downloads

Replication files for Downward Revision of Investment Decisions after Corporate Tax Hikes

https://doi.org/10.7805/it-lmps-2023

EBDC Data Set – ifo Business Survey Trade

ifo Business Survey Trade (2017a)

Data set of ifo's micro data.
10.7805/ebdc-ibs-tra-2017a

Statement — 7 October 2019

ifo Viewpoint No. 207: Net Wealth Tax: The Wrong Answer to a Justified Question

A growing number of people in Germany are calling for a revival of the wealth tax. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) isn’t the only one that favors a wealth tax – the Greens have voiced their support, too. The justification given for this demand is the increasingly unequal distribution of wealth, which owes primarily to the boom in real estate prices. Is this a good idea?

EBDC Data Set – EBDC Business Innovation Panel

EBDC Business Innovation Panel (2016)

Data set of EBDC Panel Data.
10.7805/ebdc-binp-2016

EBDC Data Set – ifo World Economic Survey

ifo World Economic Survey (2019q1)

Data set of ifo's micro data.
10.7805/ebdc-wes-2019q1

EBDC Data Set – ifo Innovation Survey

ifo Innovation Survey (2014)

Data set of ifo's micro data.
10.7805/ebdc-ins-2014

EBDC Data Set – ifo Investment Survey Industry

ifo Investment Survey Industry (2015)

Data set of ifo's micro data.
10.7805/ebdc-ivs-ind-2015

Statement — 24 March 2023

ifo Viewpoint 245: Why a Reform of the German Corporate Tax System Is Urgently Needed

The current crises have led to a debate about the future of Germany’s business model and German industry. Rising energy prices, disrupted foreign trade, and the US IRA subsidy program raise the question of what needs to be done to maintain Germany’s competitiveness as a location for companies and highly productive jobs.

EBDC Data Set – ifo Investment Survey Industry