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 Business Climate Recovers (January 2022)
Sentiment among German companies has brightened at the beginning of the year. The ifo Business Climate Index rose to 95.7 points in January, up from 94.8 points in December. While companies’ assessments of the current situation were somewhat less positive, their expectations improved considerably. The German economy is starting the new year with a glimmer of hope.
Moritz Schasching
Specialist
ifo Business Climate Saxony Falls Slightly (December 2021)
The ifo Business Climate Index Saxony continued to fall in December. The barometer of business sentiment in Saxony’s economy declined slightly from 98.0 to 96.9 points. The companies surveyed lowered their expectations for the coming six months somewhat. Survey participants were also less satisfied with their current business.
ifo Business Climate Eastern Germany Declines (December 2021)
Sentiment among companies in eastern Germany fell significantly in December. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy continued to slide, falling to 96.0 points, down from 97.5 points in November. Participating companies reported a marked decline in their assessments of the current situation. At the same time, their expectations dropped somewhat compared to the previous month.
Outlook for 2022 – Personnel and Salary Development (4th Quarter 2021)
The special questions in the fourth quarter of 2021 revolved around personnel and wage trends in 2022, suitable measures to combat the shortage of skilled workers, and the most important task for the new German government from the perspective of the companies surveyed.
Economists Examine the Traffic Light Coalition Agreement
Germany’s SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, and FDP political parties signed their coalition agreement on December 7, 2021, thus adhering to an ambitious schedule. The paper is entitled “Go for More Progress – Alliance for Freedom, Justice, and Sustainability.” The Economists Panel surveyed 150 professors at German universities on major aspects of the coalition agreement.
Aaron Günther
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Philipp Heil
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
ifo Economic Forecast for Eastern Germany and Saxony Winter 2021: Coronavirus Puts the Brakes on Recovery
The coronavirus pandemic has slowed the economic recovery in eastern Germany and Saxony. In the current year, economic output in those regions will grow by 2.6 and 2.7 percent respectively (Germany: 2.5 percent). In 2022, economic output in eastern Germany is likely to be 3.2 percent higher year over year; in Saxony, gross domestic product will increase by 3.4 percent (Germany: 3.7 percent).
ifo Employment Barometer Drops (December 2021)
German companies are less willing to hire employees than in the previous month. The ifo Employment Barometer fell to 102.9 points in December, down from 103.9 points in November. Due to the current wave of the coronavirus, three industries have announced layoffs: hospitality, events, and tourism.
ifo Export Expectations Fall (December 2021)
Sentiment in the German export industry has deteriorated. The ifo Export Expectations fell to 12.1 points in December, down from 15.8 points in November. Nevertheless, exports will probably increase in the first quarter of 2022, albeit at a slower pace.
Noël raté pour cause de Covid-19
Le moral des dirigeants d'entreprise allemands s'est assombri en cette période de fêtes de fin d'année. L'aggravation de la situation pandémique touche durement le commerce de détail ainsi que les prestataires de services proches du consommateur. L'indice correspondant du climat des affaires est passé de 96,6 points [1] en novembre à 94,7 points au mois de décembre. Les entreprises ont estimé que leur situation actuelle s'est dégradée et font état également d'un pessimisme accru à l'égard du premier semestre 2022. L'économie allemande devra se passer de cadeaux de Noël cette année.
Coronavirus Wave Weighs on ifo Business Climate (December 2021)
Sentiment at German companies has clouded over for Christmas. The deteriorating pandemic situation is hitting consumer-related service providers and retailers hard. The ifo Business Climate Index fell from 96.6 points in November to 94.7 points in December. Companies assessed their current business situation as less positive. Pessimism regarding the first half of 2022 also increased. The German economy isn’t getting any presents this year.
Susanne Blind
Financial Accountancy Staff
ifo Economic Forecast Winter 2021: Supply Bottlenecks and Coronavirus Wave Slow Down German Economy
Gross domestic product will increase by 2.5 percent this year and by 3.7 percent and 2.9 percent in the next two years. Compared with the ifo Economic Forecast Autumn 2021, the growth rate for 2021 has been retained. However, the growth rate for 2022 was lowered by 1.4 percentage points and raised by 1.4 percentage points for 2023. The shift in economic momentum from next year to the year after is largely due to the fourth wave of the coronavirus and to production difficulties in the manufacturing sector.
Sabine Dehof
ifo Business Climate Saxony Falls Again (November 2021)
The ifo Business Climate Index Saxony fell again in November. The barometer of business sentiment in Saxony’s economy declined from 101.1 to 97.9 points, due in large part to a distinct drop in assessments of the current situation. Companies’ expectations for the coming six months were also noticeably reduced.
ifo Business Climate Index Eastern Germany Falls Further (November 2021)
Sentiment among companies in eastern Germany deteriorated noticeably in November. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy continued to slide, falling to 97.4 points, down from 98.7 points in October. Participating companies reported a marked decline in their assessments of the current situation. At the same time, their expectations dropped somewhat compared to the previous month.
ifo Employment Barometer Rises Slightly (November 2021)
German companies are putting a little more effort into recruitment than they were last month. The ifo Employment Barometer rose to 103.8 points in November, up from 103.7 points in October. Supply problems and the latest coronavirus wave do not appear to be having a marked impact on companies’ personnel planning.
ifo Export Expectations Rise (November 2021)
Sentiment in the German export industry has improved. In November, the ifo Export Expectations rose to 15.8 points, up from 13.1 points in October, having stood at 20.6 points in September (seasonally adjusted). Despite supply problems for intermediate products and raw materials, the German export industry is in a robust position.
