Team
The people behind the ifo Institute offer the very high level of expertise and experience needed to fulfill our research and service mandate.
Economic Experts Expect Slight Decline In Inflation Worldwide
Economic experts from around the world expect inflation rates to decline in the years ahead. This is among the findings of the Economic Experts Survey. The inflation rate worldwide will reach 4.6% in 2024, then 4.4% next year, and 4.0% in 2027. In Germany, inflation for this year is expected to reach 3.1%, in Austria 4.2, and in Switzerland 1.8.
ifo Business Climate Index rises (March 2024)
Sentiment in German companies has improved noticeably. The ifo Business Climate Index rose to 87.8 points in March, up from 85.7 points in February. In particular, companies’ expectations turned much less pessimistic. Assessments of the current business situation also improved. The German economy glimpses light on the horizon.
Cancellations Hit One In Five Residential Construction Companies In Germany
Cancellations in German residential construction have increased, with 19.6% companies reporting canceled orders. In February, the figure was 17.7%. “The situation in residential construction remains tense,” explains ifo-expert Klaus Wohlrabe. “There aren’t enough new orders to offset the cancellations.”
ifo Price Expectations Rise Slightly
The ifo price expectations for companies in Germany rose a little to 15.1 points in April, up from 14.3 in March. “Inflation is unlikely to fall any further in the coming months and is set to remain at just over 2%,” says ifo-expert Sascha Möhrle.
New ifo Schnelldienst 3/2024: Prosperity At Risk?
Populist parties in Germany and Europe are gaining support. The new issue of the ifo Schnelldienst 3/2024 is dedicated to the question of how this rise can be explained and how prosperity and perceived participation influence this trend.
Right-Wing Populist Voters Favor Dismantling The Welfare State
Voters of right-wing populist parties are increasingly in favor of dismantling the welfare state in order to be able to compete with other countries. “The right-wing populist spectrum sees the welfare state as a form of redistribution towards immigrants,” explains Marcel Thum, Director of the ifo Institute’s Dresden Branch.
War in Ukraine: Negative Effects in North and East Europe
Economic experts in Northern and Eastern Europe are seeing the negative impact of the war in Ukraine on the political and economic situation in their countries particularly clearly. This is a finding of the Economic Experts Survey (EES) conducted by the ifo Institute and the Swiss Economic Policy Institute (IWP).
How Can Companies Integrate AI Meaningfully Into Business Models?
AI will change many things in the future, including companies' business models. The question is how companies can use it to stay ahead of the competition. And where can Europe achieve a leading global position? Discuss this topic with Nicole Büttner, CEO of the AI company Merantix Momentum, live on site at the MED or online.
ifo Export Expectations Rise Considerably
Sentiment in the German export industry is markedly brighter. The ifo Export Expectations rose to -1.4 points in March, up from -7.0 points in February. A reason for this ought to be a pick up in world trade in the coming months and German exporters‘ hope to benefit from this trend, concludes 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,” notes ifo-expert Klaus Wohlrabe.
Business Climate In German Retail Improves Again
The ifo Business Climate in retail brightened further in April and rose to -14.5 points, up from -17.5 in March. Assessments of the current business situation improved significantly. Retailers’ business expectations also became somewhat more optimistic, but remain largely cautious.
Sentiment in German Residential Construction Reaches Another All-Time Low
The ifo Business Climate in residential construction has reached a new low. It fell to -61.9 points in February, down from -60.7 points in January. More than half of the construction companies surveyed are dissatisfied with the current situation. Expectations are also stuck at rock bottom.
Business Climate In the German Automotive Industry On The Upswing
According to the ifo Business Survey, the indicator in March rose to -5.8 points, up from -9.9 points in February. “The German automotive industry seems to have finally emerged from its economic low in the second half of 2023 and is looking to the future with more confidence,” ifo-expert Anita Wölfl notes.
ifo Business Climate Index Falls (December 2023)
Sentiment in German business has clouded over. The ifo Business Climate Index fell to 86.4 points in December, down from 87.2 points (seasonally adjusted) in November. Companies were less satisfied with their current business. They were also more skeptical about the first half of 2024. As the year draws to a close, the German economy remains weak.
Covid-19 Economic Assistance In Bavaria Reached All Affected Industries
In Bavaria, Covid-19 bridging aid was received mainly by the many smaller companies with fewer than 50 employees and in those industries particularly affected by the pandemic, finds a study by the ifo commissioned by Chamber of Commerece and Industry (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria.
EU Accession Country Workers Fill German Labor Market Gaps
Exactly 20 years after accession to the EU, approximately 820,000 workers from these ten countries are now employed in Germany. That accounts for 2.4% of the German workforce. “Contrary to the fears of many, this has not led to German workers being pushed out of the labor market,” notes Joachim Ragnitz, Managing Director of ifo Dresden.
ifo Economic Forecast Spring 2024: German Economy Paralyzed
The ifo Institute has reduced its growth forecast for the current year to 0.2%, down from 0.7% in January and 0.9% in December. But for next year, it raised its growth estimate by 0.2 percentage points to 1.5%.
ifo Employment Barometer Rises
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,” explains Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo.
Business Climate in the German Chemical Industry Brightens
The business climate in Germany’s chemical industry improved in March, with the index rising to -10.5 points, up from minus 15.5 points in February. Especially business expectations improved sharply to -2.9 points, up from minus 14.9 points in February.