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 Index Eastern Germany Rises Sharply (May 2021)
The mood of eastern German companies saw a powerful upswing in May. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy climbed to 99.2 points from 95.8 points in April. Compared to the previous month, expectations of the companies surveyed surged and their assessments of the current situation also improved significantly. Developments among service providers were particularly positive.
ifo Employment Barometer Rises (May 2021)
German companies are planning to hire more employees. The ifo Employment Barometer rose to 100.2 points in May after measuring 98.3 points in April. This is its highest value since June 2019. Progress with vaccinations and the prospect of reopening the economy are having a positive effect on the labor market.
Max Lay
Specialist
ifo Export Expectations Fall Slightly (May 2021)
The excellent mood among German exporters has suffered a slight setback. In May, the ifo Export Expectations in manufacturing fell to 23.0 points from 23.9 points in April. However, Germany’s export industry remains a mainstay of buoyant industrial activity.
ifo Business Climate Index Rises Steeply (May 2021)
Sentiment among German managers has improved considerably. The ifo Business Climate Index rose from 96.6 points (seasonally adjusted) in April to 99.2 points in May. This is its highest value since May 2019. Companies were more satisfied with their current business situation. They are also more optimistic regarding the coming months. The German economy is picking up speed.
Kevin Kloiber
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Felicia Elena Stokke
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Changes in Staffing Levels (1st Quarter 2021)
The special questions in the survey in the first quarter referred to personnel planning (increases and decreases in headcount) and the corresponding instruments. Furthermore, the participating companies indicated whether the Covid-19 pandemic led to any changes in their fixed-term employment policy when hiring new staff.
ifo Business Climate Saxony Rises (April)
The ifo Business Climate Index Saxony rose considerably in April 2021. The barometer of business sentiment jumped from 93.5 to 95.7 points. This was driven by companies’ substantially improved business expectations. Their assessments of the current situation also improved slightly.
ifo Business Climate Eastern Germany Rises Slightly (April 2021)
Sentiment among companies in eastern Germany improved slightly in April. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy climbed to 95.9 points from 94.9 points in March. Surveyed companies’ assessments of the current situation and business expectations both improved somewhat compared to the previous month.
ifo Employment Barometer Rises (April 2021)
German companies are seeking new employees: the ifo Employment Barometer rose to 98.3 points in April after measuring 97.6 points in March. The labor market is slowly making up for some of the job losses from the coronavirus crisis.
ifo Export Expectations Rise (April 2021)
Sentiment among German exporters has improved. In April, the ifo Export Expectations in manufacturing rose from 23.8 points to 24.6 points – its highest level since January 2011. In many countries, the pandemic is barely having an effect on manufacturing. This is clearly driving demand for German exports.
ifo Business Climate Index Rises Slightly (April 2021)
Sentiment among German managers has improved slightly. The ifo Business Climate Index rose from 96.6 points in March to 96.8 points in April. Companies once again raised their assessments of the current business situation. However, they were no longer quite so optimistic about the coming six months. Both the third wave of infections and bottlenecks in intermediate products are impeding Germany’s economic recovery.
Joint Economic Forecast Spring 2021: Pandemic Delays Upswing – Demography Slows Growth
The leading economic research institutes expect gross domestic product to increase by 3.7 percent in the current year and by 3.9 percent in 2022
ifo Business Climate Saxony Improves (March 2021)
The ifo Business Climate Index Saxony rose in March 2021. The barometer of business sentiment climbed from 91.0 to 93.4 points. Compared to the previous month, the business situation and expectations for the coming six months were better.
ifo Business Climate Index for Eastern Germany Rises Sharply (March 2021)
Sentiment among companies in eastern Germany improved greatly in March. The ifo Business Climate Index for the entire regional economy climbed to 94.9 points from 91.0 points in February. The survey participants’ assessments of the current situation improved markedly, and pessimism regarding future expectations also ebbed.
ifo Employment Barometer Rises Notably (March 2021)
German companies are increasingly looking to hire new employees. The ifo Employment Barometer rose sharply in March to 97.6 points, up from 94.5 points in February. This is its highest level since February 2020. The labor market is starting to recover, despite the lockdown.
ifo Export Expectations Rise Considerably (March 2021)
A feeling of great optimism is emerging among German exporters. In March, the ifo Export Expectations in manufacturing rose from 11.9 points to 24.9 points – its highest level since January 2011. The export industry is benefiting from strong economic activity in Asia and the US. Momentum is slowly picking up again in the euro area, too.
Eurozone Economic Outlook: Waiting for Recovery (March 2021)
Economic activity dropped less than expected in Q4 2020, yet the recovery will start only later this year.
ifo Business Climate Index Rises Notably (March 2021)
Sentiment among German managers has improved noticeably. The ifo Business Climate Index rose from 92.7 points (seasonally adjusted) in February to 96.6 points in March. This is its highest value since June 2019. Companies were clearly more satisfied with their current business situation. Optimism about the coming months has also returned. Despite the rising rate of infections, the German economy is entering the spring with confidence.
