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 Export Expectations Fall (June 2022)
Sentiment among German exporters has worsened slightly. The ifo Export Expectations fell to plus 3.7 points in June, down from plus 4.4 points in May. Logistics problems and a high level of uncertainty are depressing the outlook for German exports.
ifo Business Climate Index Falls (June 2022)
Sentiment in German business has clouded over. The ifo Business Climate Index fell to 92.3 points in June, down from 93.0 points in May. Companies were somewhat less satisfied with their current business situation. Their expectations turned markedly more pessimistic. The threat of gas shortages is of great concern to the German economy.
ifo Economic Forecast Summer 2022: Inflation, Supply Bottlenecks, and War Slow Economic Recovery in Germany
Since the beginning of the year, the German economy has been recovering from earlier waves of the coronavirus. The associated normalization of spending in the consumer-related service sectors is giving the economy a strong boost. However, high inflation, the war in Ukraine, and continuing supply bottlenecks are slowing the economic recovery in almost all sectors of the economy. GDP will grow by 2.5 percent in 2022 and 3.7 percent in 2023. This year the inflation rate is expected to reach 6.8 percent, its highest level since 1974. Consumer prices are also expected to rise at an above-average rate of 3.3 percent next year.
Economists Support EU Tariffs on Russian Energy Imports
Russian threats to cut off the supply of fossil fuels and drastic lockdowns in many major cities in China have highlighted Germany’s dependency on non-European imports. But doubts as to the reliability of these two trading partners predate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s strict zero-Covid policy. Whether trade with autocratic states should be limited has been a topic of discussion for quite some time now, not least due to human rights violations along supply chains.
Jason Warren
ifo Business Climate Index Saxony Drops (May 2022)
The ifo Business Climate Index Saxony dropped noticeably in May. The barometer of business sentiment in Saxony’s economy fell to 95.0 points, down from 96.5 points in April. Business expectations among companies in Saxony suppressed the business climate as the companies surveyed view the next six months with skepticism. In their assessments of the current business situation, the companies were optimistic – a trend driven mainly by the service sector.
ifo Business Climate Eastern Germany Treads Water (May 2022)
The mood of eastern German companies held more or less steady in May. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy hovered at 94.5 points. The survey participants’ assessments of their current situation improved considerably, even as they revised their outlook markedly downward. Such strongly contrasting developments are likely due to the easing of the coronavirus situation and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
ifo Employment Barometer Rises (May 2022)
A growing number of companies in Germany are planning to hire new staff: the ifo Employment Barometer rose to 104.0 points in May after measuring 102.8 points in April. Germany’s robust economic development is also reflected in its labor market. Meanwhile, the shortage of skilled workers remains high. Companies are not able to fill all vacancies.
ifo Export Expectations Rise (May 2022)
Sentiment among German exporters has brightened. The ifo Export Expectations rose from plus 3.0 in April to plus 4.5 points in May. But German manufacturers remain cautious, and logistics problems continue to be a considerable burden. There are no signs of any major changes in exports at this time.
ifo Business Climate Index Rises (May 2022)
Sentiment in the German economy has brightened. The ifo Business Climate Index rose to 93.0 points in May, after 91.9 points in April. The companies were above all much more satisfied with their current business. In contrast, expectations barely changed, with companies remaining skeptical. The German economy has proven itself resilient in the face of inflation concerns, material bottlenecks, and the war in Ukraine. There are currently no observable signs of a recession.
Grega Ferenc
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
ifo Business Climate Index Saxony Recovers (April 2022)
The ifo Business Climate Index Saxony rose in April. The barometer of business sentiment in Saxony’s economy climbed from 92.8 to 96.5 points. After a sharp decline in the previous month, companies’ assessments of the current situation and their expectations for the coming six months recovered, with the increase in the latter more pronounced. For the time being, the consequences for Saxony’s economy of the war in Ukraine do not seem to be as bad as had been expected in the previous month.
ifo Business Climate Index for Eastern Germany Rises Noticeably (April 2022)
Sentiment among companies in eastern Germany improved considerably once again in April. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy rose from 92.8 to 96.5 points, driven by the marked rise in business expectations. Assessments of the current business situation remained largely in line with the previous month. Eastern German companies seem to have coped well with the initial shock of the Russian war of aggression.
ifo Employment Barometer Recovers (April 2022)
The willingness among companies in Germany to hire new staff has risen. The ifo Employment Barometer rose to 102.8 points in April, up from 102.1 points in March. The high level of uncertainty in the economy due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine seems to be having no lasting impact when it comes to personnel planning. Employment will continue to rise in Germany.
ifo Export Expectations Recover (April 2022)
After collapsing in March, sentiment among German exporters has recovered somewhat. The ifo Export Expectations rose from minus 2.9 in March to plus 3.5 points in April. Despite high uncertainty and logistics problems, there are currently signs of a stabilization of export sentiments.
ifo Business Climate Index Stabilizes (April 2022)
Sentiment in the German economy has stabilized at a low level. The ifo Business Climate Index rose to 91.8 points in April, after 90.8 points in March. This was due primarily to less pessimism in companies’ expectations. Their assessments of the current situation are minimally better. After the initial shock of the Russian attack, the German economy has shown its resilience.
Traditional Recruiting vs. Active Sourcing: External Job Posting Still Dominates (Q1 2022)
The special questions for the first quarter of 2022 revolved around companies’ recruiting process: Which recruiting tools do companies use when looking for new employees and how much importance do companies attach to active search and to directly approaching potential candidates? In addition, the questions throw light on the role these tools play in the search for new trainees and on the extent to which companies apply a diversity strategy when filling new positions.
Joint Economic Forecast Spring 2022: From Pandemic to Energy Crisis – Economy and Politics under Permanent Stress
The leading economic research institutes expect gross domestic product to increase by 2.7 percent in the current year and by 3.1 percent in 2023.
Economic Experts Survey: Experts Worldwide Call for Significant Relaxation of Covid-19 Health Measures (Q1 2022)
Due to the Omicron variant, the Covid-19 pandemic regained momentum in the first quarter of 2022 in many countries, leading to significant restrictions on economic activity. Nevertheless, participants in the Economic Experts Survey (EES) see a significant quarter-on-quarter improvement in global Covid-19 health measures and call for relaxing restrictions.
Prof. Dr. Sarah Necker
Director of the Ludwig Erhard ifo Center for Social Market Economy and Institutional Economics
