ifo Media Center
The ifo Institute invites you to participate in the discussion of interesting economic topics via the Internet. In our ifo Media Center a whole series of remarkable events are available and can be viewed in full length. We also record selected speeches and presentations given by employees or at events and make them available in our Media Center.
ifo Employment Barometer Sees a Minimal Decline (December 2022)
The willingness among companies in Germany to hire new staff has dipped slightly. The ifo Employment Barometer reached 99.5 points in December, down from 99.6 points in November. Nevertheless, the employment outlook for the first quarter of 2023 is positive, driven primarily by service providers. Personnel service providers are also optimistic about the coming months.
ifo Export Expectations Edge Upward (December 2022)
Sentiment among German exporters has improved slightly. The ifo Export Expectations rose to plus 1.6 points in December, up from plus 0.9 points in November. When it comes to their exports, German manufacturers are cautiously optimistic as they head into the new year.
ifo Business Climate Index Rises (December 2022)
Sentiment in the German economy has brightened considerably. The ifo Business Climate Index rose to 88.6 points in December, up from 86.4 points (seasonally adjusted) in November. Companies assessed their current situation as better again. This comes on the heels of six consecutive falls in the indicator for the current situation. Expectations also improved noticeably. German business is entering the holiday season with a sense of hope.
ifo Economic Forecast Winter 2022: Inflation and Recession
Gross domestic product will increase by 1.8% this year and contract slightly by 0.1% next year. In 2024, growth will be back up to 1.6%.
Beate Görner
Management Assistant (ifo Dresden)
On the Proposal of the Economic Experts: Majority of Economists Favor Higher “Wealth Tax Rate” and Reduction of Bracket Creep
The energy crisis resulting from the Russian war of aggression and the associated price increases are putting a strain on the German economy and population. Although the German government’s relief packages can cushion the impact of the crisis, they are at the same time exacerbating the strain on public budgets in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In its annual report of November 9, 2022, the German Council of Economic Experts therefore proposed a temporary increase in the top tax rate, the introduction of an energy solidarity surcharge for top earners, and a postponement of the reduction of bracket creep.
ifo Employment Barometer Rises (November 2022)
Companies in Germany are looking to hire more staff. The ifo Employment Barometer rose to 99.6 points in November, up from 97.8 points in October. Against the backdrop of decreasing uncertainty, the number of employees in Germany could continue to rise. However, the shortage of skilled workers will remain a lasting problem.
ifo Business Climate Saxony: Sentiment Rises Again (November 2022)
The ifo Business Climate Index for Saxony rose strongly in November. The barometer of business sentiment in Saxony’s economy climbed from 88.8 points in October to 91.7 points. The assessment of the current business situation and the business expectations of the companies surveyed increased significantly.
Ülkü Bıçakçı
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Leon Hoegner
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Boyan Petkov
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
ifo Business Climate Eastern Germany: Sentiment Improves Again (November 2022)
Sentiment among companies in eastern Germany improved markedly in November. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy rose to 89.3 points, up from 86.3 points in October. The companies surveyed raised their overall assessments of the current situation perceptibly. Their outlook for the next six months improved appreciably.
ifo Export Expectations Rise (November 2022)
Sentiment among German exporters has improved. The ifo Export Expectations rose to plus 0.4 points in November, up from minus 4.6 points in October. At present, positive and negative assessments are roughly in balance. Small glimmers of hope are emerging for the German export industry.
ifo Business Climate Index Rises (November 2022)
Sentiment in the German economy has improved. The ifo Business Climate Index rose to 86.3 points in November, up from 84.5 points in October. While companies were somewhat less satisfied with their current business, pessimism regarding the coming months reduced sharply. The recession could prove less severe than many had expected.
Caterina Pavese, Ph.D.
Economist
Economic Experts Survey: Slightly Improved Assessment of Economic Policy Worldwide (Q3 2022)
Economic policy worldwide is assessed as slightly better in Q3 2022 than in the previous quarter. The exceptions are Eastern Europe, West Africa, and South America. Political performance is also viewed much more critically in these regions. These are the findings of the Economic Experts Survey (EES), a global survey of economic experts conducted jointly by the ifo Institute and the Swiss Economic Policy Institute (IWP) on a quarterly basis.
ifo Business Climate Saxony: Sentiment Remains Subdued (October 2022)
The ifo Business Climate Index for Saxony rose noticeably in October, but remains at a low level. The barometer of business sentiment in Saxony’s economy climbed from 87.1 points in September to 88.7 points. While companies in Saxony were slightly less satisfied with their current business situation compared with the previous month, they raised their business expectations appreciably.
ifo Business Climate Eastern Germany: Index Stabilizes at a Low Level (October 2022)
Sentiment among companies in Saxony improved slightly in October. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy rose to 86.2 points, up from 85.2 points in September. The companies surveyed lowered their assessments of the current situation somewhat while they raised their expectations for the next six months considerably.
ifo Employment Barometer Falls (October 2022)
The willingness among companies in Germany to hire new staff continues to wane. The ifo Employment Barometer fell to 97.7 points in October, down from 99.4 points in September. This is its lowest level since April 2021. Reports of new hires and layoffs are currently roughly in balance. Caution is spreading in the labor market.
ifo Export Expectations Rise (October 2022)
Sentiment among German exporters has improved a bit. The ifo Export Expectations rose to minus 5.3 points in October, up from minus 6.0 points in September. However, the situation for exporters remains difficult, and the high level of uncertainty is causing a reluctance among international customers to place new orders.
