ifo World Economic Survey (WES)
Content
The World Economic Survey (WES) aims to deliver a quarterly overview of the world economic situation that is as up-to-date as possible, as well as forecasts for key industrialised, emerging and developing economies. Unlike official statistics, which are mainly based on quantitative information (that can be measured in unit values), WES is based on qualitative information, namely the judgments and expectations of experts. While official statistics are often only available at an international level after a significant time lag, WES survey results are characterised by the fact that they are extremely up-to-date and internationally comparable. The assessments and expectations of experts in the field are particularly important in countries where the data used to compile official statistics is unreliable.
Methodology
The ifo Institute conducted the World Economic Survey (WES), an international survey of experts, between 1981 and 2019. Over 1,000 economic experts from multinational companies and competent institutions from over 100 countries assess the current economic situation, as well as the economic outlook of their respective countries, on a quarterly basis.
Data Sources
Primary data collection
Results (until 2019)
Internet presentation of survey results
The survey results were published online:
Publication in our journals
The results were published regulary in ifo Schnelldienst and the CESifo World Economic Survey.
Regular results report for survey participants
Our research is built on the willingness of economic experts in multinational companies and competent institutions to support us in our work. Participants received the detailed results report free-of-charge.
Publications on the ifo World Economic Survey
Boumans, Dorine, Johanna Garnitz und Günther G. Schulze, "Who Has Terror Angst? Perceptions of the Effects of Terror on the World Economy", Applied Economics Letters 25 (1), 2018, 29–33, Information, Working paper version available as: CESifo Working Paper 6049 (PDF) |
Garnitz, Johanna und Timo Wollmershäuser, "Neuerungen im Ifo World Economic Survey", ifo Schnelldienst 70 (01), 2017, 24–28 | PDF Download
Garnitz, Johanna und Dorine Boumans, "Ifo World Economic Survey Database – An International Economic Expert Survey", Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik - Journal of Economics and Statistics 237 (1), 2017, 71–80
Kudymowa, Evgenia, Johanna Plenk und Klaus Wohlrabe, "Ifo World Economic Survey and the Business Cycle in Selected Countries", CESifo Forum 14 (4), 2013, 51–57 | PDF Download
Kudymowa, Evgenia, Johanna Plenk und Klaus Wohlrabe, "Ifo World Economic Survey und die realwirtschaftliche Entwicklung in ausgewählten Ländern", ifo Schnelldienst 66 (19), 2013, 23–30 | PDF Download
Abberger, Klaus, Maximilian Frey, Michaela Kesina und Anna Stangl, "Indikatoren für die globale Konjunktur", ifo Schnelldienst 62 (16), 2009, 32–41 | PDF Download
Hülsewig, Oliver, Johannes Mayr und Timo Wollmershäuser, "Forecasting Euro Area Real GDP: Optimal Pooling of Information", CESifo Working Paper No. 2371, August 2008 | PDF Download
Hamella, Sandra und Harry Haupt, "Suitability of WES data for forecasting inflation", in: Goldrian, Georg: Handbook of survey-based business cycle analysis, 2007, Elgar, Cheltenham, 2007, 99–115
Stangl, Anna, "Ifo World Economic Survey Micro Data", Journal of Applied Social Science Studies 127, 2007, 487–496
Stangl, Anna, "Der Index für Konjunkturerwartungen des ZEW und des ifo Instituts, WES, sind für Deutschland identisch", ifo Schnelldienst 60 (03), 2007, 55–56 | PDF Download
Henzel, Steffen und Timo Wollmershäuser, "The New Keynesian Phillips Curve and the Role of Expectations: Evidence from the Ifo World Economic Survey", CESifo Working Paper No. 1694, March 2006 | PDF Download
Henzel, Steffen und Timo Wollmershäuser, "Eine umfragebasierte Methode zur Quantifizierung qualitativer Inflationserwartungen des Ifo World Economic Survey", ifo Schnelldienst 58 (09), 2005, 13–20 | PDF Download
Henzel, Steffen und Timo Wollmershäuser, "Quantifying Inflation Expectations with the Carlson-Parkin Method: A Survey-based Determination of the Just Noticeable Difference", Journal of Business Cycle Measurement and Analysis 2 (3), 2005, 321–352
Haupt, Harry und Sandra Waller, "Informationsgehalt von WES-Daten zur Inflationsprognose : Aussagekraft der Befragungsergebnisse", in: Goldrian, Georg (Hrsg.): Handbuch der umfragebasierten Konjunkturforschung, 2004, ifo Institut, München, 2004, 221–244
Stangl, Anna, "World Economic Survey : Umfragen des ifo Instituts ; Konzeption, Repräsentation, Qualitätssicherung", in: Goldrian, Georg (Hrsg.): Handbuch der umfragebasierten Konjunkturforschung, 2004, ifo Institut, München, 2004, 140–147
Haupt, Harry und Sandra Waller, "Economic Analysis and Short-term Forecasting with Qualitative Data from the Economic Survey International", in: K. H. Oppenländer, G. Poser and B. Schips (eds.): Use of Survey Data for Industry, Research and Economic Policy, Avebury, Aldershot, 2000, 527–547
Brand, Diana und L. Pouquet, "The explantory and forecasting power of the Economic Survey International", CIRET Studien 49, in: Nerb, Gernot / Oppenländer, Karl H. / Poser, Günter, Application of business surveys for macroeconomic analysis, 1995, ifo Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, München, 1995, 01–46
Brand, D., G. Nerb, F.J. Klein und K. Stock, "Construction and Performance of a World Economy Leading Indicator", Oppenländer G. (ed): Business Cycle Surveys with Special Reference to Pacific Basin Economies. Papers presented at the 19th CIRET Conference (Proceedings), Aldershot, 1990, 249–290
Brand, D., W. Gerstenberger und J. Lindlbauer, "Ausgewählte Gesamtindikatoren des ifo Instituts für Wirtschaftsforschung", Oppenländer, München: Oldenbourg, 1990, 83–94