Services (Germany):
Increased shortage of skilled workers

The business situation in the service sector in Germany worsened in June for the third month in succession. The firms assessed their present situation only somewhat less positively than in June but their optimism regarding the six-month outlook has clearly weakened. Turnover again exceeded that of the previous year. In the coming months firms also expect an increase in demand and plan to hire additional staff. An increasing number of survey participants voiced complaints of the lack of skilled personnel.