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ifo Export Expectations Brighter (March 2023)
Sentiment among German exporters has brightened somewhat. The ifo Export Expectations rose to 4.0 points in March, up from 3.5 points in February. “Export demand still lacks some momentum,” says Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo. “Global economic development is rather subdued.”
ifo Business Climate Index Falls (November 2020)
Sentiment among German managers has deteriorated. The ifo Business Climate Index fell from 92.5 points (seasonally adjusted) in October to 90.7 points in November. The drop was due above all to companies’ considerably more pessimistic expectations. Their assessments of the current situation were also a little worse. Business uncertainty has risen. The second wave of coronavirus has interrupted Germany’s economic recovery.
GAME-LIGHTS – the gridded Meteorological Events and Night Light Emission Database
German Export Expectations Rise (May 2024)
Sentiment in the German export industry has turned brighter. The ifo Export Expectations rose from minus 1.5 in April to plus 0.3 points in May. “Positive and negative responses are in nearly perfect balance,” says Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo. “The export economy is not yet developing any great momentum overall.”
ifo Business Survey Construction (2023a)
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ifo Business Survey Construction (2017a)
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Germany’s Export Expectations Dip Slightly (July 2023)
Sentiment in the German export industry has deteriorated slightly. The ifo Export Expectations slipped to -6.0 points in July, down from -5.9 points in June. “Demand from abroad is developing rather weakly,” says Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo. “This is also the result of restrictive monetary policy in the US and Europe, the effects of which are gradually being felt.”
ifo Education Survey (2019) - SUF
Personnel and Salary Developments in 2023 and Feedback Culture in Companies (4th Quarter 2022)
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Randstad ifo Personnel Manager Survey covered wage developments in 2023 and special payments in the form of the inflation compensation bonus. This bonus is part of the German government’s third relief package, which is intended to offer citizens relief in times of high energy prices and inflation rates. The bonus is tax-free up to an amount of EUR 3,000 until the end of 2024. Other topics included personnel development in 2023 and the feedback culture in companies.
ifo Business Survey Construction (2019b)
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Germany’s Federal Election: German Economists Assess Possible Coalitions
Current forecasts for the outcome of the German federal election on September 26, 2021, indicate that there could be many different coalition options after the election. This raises the question of which coalition would likely achieve the most favorable economic development in Germany over the coming legislative period.
ifo Innovation Survey (2015)
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ifo Employment Barometer Rises (March 2024)
Companies in Germany are again looking to hire more staff. The ifo Employment Barometer rose to 96.3 points in March, up from 94.9 points in February. “Companies are currently more willing to hire because they are better able to assess the economic conditions. Skilled workers continue to be in demand,” says Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo.
Availability of Materials in Germany Approaching Pre-coronavirus Levels
German manufacturers hardly have to struggle with material shortages anymore. In March, 10.2% of the companies surveyed reported shortages, down from 14.6% in February. “The supply of raw materials and intermediate products has recently seen significant improvement,” says Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo. “The situation is now almost back to how it was before the coronavirus crisis.”
Business Climate for Germany’s Self-Employed Brightens
The business climate for Germany’s self-employed has brightened considerably, finds the latest ifo survey for this segment (“Jimdo-ifo Business Climate Index for the Self-Employed”). In September, the index rose to -14.4 points*, up from -19.9 points* in August. “The country’s self-employed appear to be recovering from their economic low point,” explains ifo expert Katrin Demmelhuber. “Whether this improvement will last will become clear over the next few months.”
How Will the Coronavirus Affect Germany’s Economic Future?
Just over a year ago, on January 27, 2020, the first case of SARS-CoV-2 was diagnosed in Germany. Since then, politicians have been battling with the drastic effects of the pandemic, including via the special conferences between the federal and state governments, which have become something of a regular fixture. At the most recent such meeting, which took place on February 10, 2021, it was decided to extend the lockdown and to reduce the target incidence rate from 50 to 35: only once the incidence falls below this value will there be any further easing of restrictions, particularly as regards the retail sector. The 33rd ifo and FAZ Economists Panel looks at current coronavirus policies and the outlook for Germany in a survey of 177 professors at German universities.
ifo Employment Barometer Tumbles (March 2022)
The willingness among companies in Germany to hire new staff has taken a knock. The ifo Employment Barometer fell to 102.1 points in March, down from 104.3 points in February. This is its lowest level since May 2021. The current high level of uncertainty in the economy due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine is making companies more cautious when it comes to personnel planning. However, there are no signs of an increase in unemployment at this time.
Energy Price Crisis: Only 14 Percent of Economists Support an Electricity and Gas Price Cap to Relieve Households
Accompanying its war of aggression on Ukraine, Russia has successively reduced gas supplies to Europe. As a result of Germany’s strong dependence on Russian gas, the supply freeze has led to a drastic shortage and price explosion on the energy market, burdening households and businesses alike.
ifo Business Climate Index Rises Strongly (June 2020)
Sentiment among German companies has brightened further. The ifo Business Climate Index rose from 79.7 points (seasonally adjusted) in May to 86.2 points in June. This is the strongest increase ever recorded. Companies’ assessments of their current situation were somewhat better. Moreover, their expectations leaped higher. German business sees light at the end of the tunnel.
ifo Business Climate Saxony Rises Sharply (May 2021)
The ifo Business Climate Index Saxony saw a sharp increase in May 2021. The barometer of business sentiment jumped from 95.9 to 99.3 points. This was mainly due to the markedly higher expectations of the companies surveyed. Their assessments of their current business situation also improved considerably compared to the previous month.