Introduction to the ifo Surveys

As one of the main pillars of the ifo Institute’s economic research, the ifo Business Survey has been conducted monthly since 1949, a year afer the foundation of the ifo Institute. Since then, ifo has extended its survey activity by developing and administering additional business, expert, and public opinion surveys on a variety of topics. The survey results are of great value for economic research and provide an important basis for scientifc policy analysis, while the indicators from the ifo Business Survey have proved to be indispensable for business cycle analysis and economic forecasting. In particular, the main indicator resulting from the ifo Business Survey, the ifo Business Climate Index for Germany, has emerged one of the most important early indicators for the German economy. Its monthly publication is frequently covered by the media and ofen impacts fnancial markets.