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.
Elena Herold
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
David Gstrein
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Isabella Gourevich
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Europe: Climate Neutral by 2050
From the Paris Agreement and Fridays for Future to the recent amendment of the German Climate Change Act and the European Commission’s “Fit for 55” package: the international community, supranational organizations, national policymakers, and social movements are increasingly turning their attention directly to climate change. Fit for 55 raises the EU’s 2030 target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 15 percentage points to at least 55 percent compared to 1990 levels.
ifo Business Climate Saxony Falls Slightly (July 2021)
In July 2021, the ifo Business Climate Index Saxony took a slight dip. The barometer of business sentiment in Saxony’s economy fell from 104.4 to 103.1 points, due primarily to a distinct drop in business expectations. Over the same period, assessments of the current situation improved narrowly.
Lena Abou El-Komboz
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
ifo Business Climate in Eastern Germany Declines Significantly (July 2021)
Sentiment among companies in eastern Germany cooled significantly in July. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy fell to 101.4 points, down from 102.6 points in June. Compared to the previous month, companies’ assessments of the current situation jumped even as their expectations plummeted.
ifo Employment Barometer Down (July 2021)
German companies are slowing their plans to hire new staff somewhat. The ifo Employment Barometer fell to 102.4 points in July, down from 103.8 points in June. The German labor market is continuing to recover, albeit at a slower pace.
ifo Export Expectations Fall Slightly (July 2021)
Sentiment among German exporters has worsened somewhat, with the ifo Export Expectations in manufacturing falling to 24.5 points, down from 25.0 points in June. Overall, however, German exports continue to perform very well.
ifo Business Climate Index Declines (July 2021)
Sentiment in the German economy has clouded over. The ifo Business Climate Index for Germany fell to 100.8 points in July, down from 101.7 points in June (seasonally adjusted). Companies evaluated their current business situations as somewhat better, but their expectations for the coming months were significantly less optimistic. Supply bottlenecks and concerns over newly rising infection numbers are weighing on the German economy.
Diversity in German Corporate Culture (2nd Quarter 2021)
Diversity – this buzzword is causing quite a stir in all areas of life, from politics to commercial breaks or on the upper arm of the German soccer team’s goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, during the European Championship. Due to its importance, this topic was the focus of the special questions in the Randstad-ifo Personnel Manager Survey in the second quarter of 2021.
ifo Business Climate Saxony Rises Sharply (June 2021)
In June 2021, the ifo Business Climate Index Saxony rose sharply once again. The barometer of business sentiment climbed from 99.3 to 104.4 points, driven by the steep rise in assessments of the current situation. There was a noticeable improvement in business expectations as well.
ifo Employment Barometer Rises Sharply (June 2021)
German companies are increasingly looking for new employees. The ifo Employment Barometer jumped to 103.7 points in June after measuring 100.2 points in May. The easing of pandemic restrictions and the boom in manufacturing are fueling demand for labor.
ifo Business Climate Eastern Germany Continues to Rise Steeply (June 2021)
Sentiment among companies in eastern Germany once again improved strongly in June. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy jumped to 102.7 points from 99.2 points in May. Compared to the previous month, companies’ assessments of the current situation surged. Their expectations also improved significantly. Developments among trading companies were particularly positive.
ifo Export Expectations Rise (June 2021)
Sentiment among German exporters improved significantly in June, with the ifo Export Expectations in manufacturing rising to 26.0 points from 22.5 points in May. This is its highest level since January 2011. One factor benefiting the export industry is the global catch-up effects owing to the coronavirus crisis.
ifo Business Climate Index Rises Sharply (June 2021)
Sentiment among German managers has improved markedly once again. The ifo Business Climate Index rose from 99.2 points in May to 101.8 points in June. Companies assessed their current business situation as much better. Optimism regarding the second half of the year also grew. The German economy is shaking off the coronavirus crisis.
ifo Economic Forecast for Eastern Germany and Saxony, Summer 2021: Eastern German Economy Is Recovering
Things are looking up for the economy in eastern Germany and Saxony, where growth will reach 2.4 and 3.1 percent in the current year (Germany: 3.3 percent).
For More Transparency: German Bundestag Tightens Rules on Supplementary Income for Members of Parliament
Members of the German Bundestag receive compensation to the tune of EUR 10,083.46 per month. According to Germany’s Basic Law, or Grundgesetz, this is to ensure their independence while also doing justice to the special responsibility and burden they carry. On June 11, 2021, the Bundestag voted to tighten the rules on supplementary income for members of parliament. From now on, MPs must declare the exact amount of supplementary income, starting at an annual amount of EUR 3,000 (or EUR 1,000 per month). Paid consulting and lobbying activities as well as lecture fees will also be prohibited in the future. The 34th ifo and FAZ Economists Panel looks at the compensation and supplementary income of German parliamentarians. A total of 146 professors at German-speaking universities participated.
ifo Economic Forecast Summer 2021: German Economy Caught between Openings and Bottlenecks
Overall, gross domestic product is expected to grow by 3.3 percent in 2021 and 4.3 percent in 2022.
ifo Business Climate Saxony Rises Sharply (May 2021)
The ifo Business Climate Index Saxony saw a sharp increase in May 2021. The barometer of business sentiment jumped from 95.9 to 99.3 points. This was mainly due to the markedly higher expectations of the companies surveyed. Their assessments of their current business situation also improved considerably compared to the previous month.
