Publications
An important goal of the ifo Institute is to make its scientific findings, analyses, survey results, and statements accessible to as many people as possible. We therefore offer a wide range of publications for different target groups with the aim of stimulating economic policy debate. Here, our own authors as well as members of the ifo’s wider networks and other experts have the opportunity to publish relevant findings and debate them publicly.
ifo Business Climate Eastern Germany Rises Further
The barometer of business sentiment for the regional economy in eastern Germany climbed to 92.8 points in May, up from 92.2 points in April. The eastern German companies surveyed provided assessments of their business situation that were somewhat better than the previous month, and they raised their business expectations slightly.
ifo Price Expectations Rise Slightly
The ifo price expectations rose a little to 16.2 points in May, up from 15.2 points in April. In manufacturing and wholesale in particular, slightly more companies plan to raise their prices than in the previous month. In consumer-related industries, by contrast, price expectations declined.
ifo Researcher Potrafke Critical of Germany’s Pension Package
“Freezing the pension level at 48% and suspending the sustainability factor completely ignores the realities in Germany," criticizes ifo researcher Niklas Potrafke regarding the pension package recently adopted by the German government. Demographic change requires a different pension policy.
ifo Employment Barometer Rises
The willingness among companies in Germany to hire new staff has increased slightly. The ifo Employment Barometer rose to 96.3 points in May, up from 96.0 points in April. “Demand for workers remains rather weak,” notes Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo.
ifo Business Climate Index remains unchanged (May 2024)
The ifo Business Climate Index in May stayed at 89.3 points. Companies were less satisfied with their current business situation, but expectations brightened. The manufacturing, trade, and construction sectors are recovering, the service sector took a slight hit. Germany’s economy is working its way out of the crisis step by step.
Polling Place Reassignments Reduce Voter Turnout
Assigning voters to new polling place led to a drop in voter turnout of 0.4 percentage points, finds the ifo Institute in a new analysis of elections in Munich. The decline in voter turnout is driven by inattentive citizens who noticed the reassignment too late to switch to mail-in voting.
EU Single Market for Services Could Increase Economic Output by 2.3%
A sweeping removal of barriers in the EU single market for services would increase gross value added by 2.3% or EUR 353 billion permanently (in 2023 prices). The calculations were done for a medium- to long-term time horizon of between ten and twelve years.
German Manufacturing Sees Threat To Its Competitiveness
The competitiveness of German manufacturing within the EU and on global markets has been deteriorating for two years. Companies have reported falling behind in terms of competitiveness within the EU since the third quarter of 2022. The situation is similar on the global markets (outside the EU).
Work Visa Agreements Between EU And Third Countries Could Reduce Asylum Applications
The ifo Institute proposes work visa agreements between the EU and safe third countries as a way to reduce the number of asylum applications and irregular immigration. “This would enable legal and controlled immigration,” notes ifo expert Panu Poutvaara.
Business Climate Of The Self-Employed In Germany Improved
The business climate for solo self-employed and microenterprises in Germany improved somewhat in April, climbing to -13.8 points after -15.6 in March. Dissatisfaction with current business has decreased slightly, as has skepticism regarding expectations for the next six months. The signal coming from service providers is particularly positive.
ifo Schnelldienst 5/2024 Is Out: Europe 2024
On June 9th, EU citizens will elect a new European Parliament. Shortly thereafter, a new EU Commission will also commence. In the new issue of the ifo Schnelldienst, "Europe 2024 - Setting the Course for Sustainable and Successful Economic Development", authors discuss topics for a new EU agenda.
European Cooperation Can Reduce Costs Of Climate Action By Billions by 2050
Joint energy and climate action policy in the EU could save European countries EUR 248 billion between 2024 and 2050, with Germany alone saving EUR 66 billion. “Joint climate action is always better than national climate action,” explains ifo-expert Mathias Mier.
Business Climate in Germany’s Chemical Industry Improved
The business climate in Germany’s chemical industry improved in April, finds the latest ifo survey. The index rose to -6.0 points, up from -10.1 in March. “The chemical industry is somewhat more confident about the coming months,” notes ifo-expert Anna Wolf.
Educational Opportunities Differ Markedly Between Germany’s Federal States
The educational opportunities of children and young people in Germany differ significantly between the federal states. An unfavorable family background has the least negative impact on children in Berlin, 53.8%, and Brandenburg, 52.8%. Nationwide, the figure is 44.6%. At the lower end are Saxony with 40.1 and Bavaria with 38.1%.
Half Of Germany’s Residential Construction Companies Are Short On Orders
Residential construction in Germany is experiencing an order shortage. More than half the companies, 55.2%, in this industry reported a lack of orders in April. In March, the figure was 56.2%. “Housebuilders are looking for signs of hope,” notes Klaus Wohlrabe, “but there’s no end to the crisis in sight.”
Lack Of Orders Slows Down The German Economy
The order shortage in Germany has worsened and is an obstacle to the economy. In April, 39.5% of manufacturing companies reported a lack of orders, up from 36.9% in January. In the service sector, the proportion rose from 32.1% to 32.4%. “The lack of orders is hampering economic development in Germany,” explains Klaus Wohlrabe.
Covid-19 Economic Assistance In Bavaria Reached All Affected Industries
In Bavaria, Covid-19 bridging aid was received mainly by the many smaller companies with fewer than 50 employees and in those industries particularly affected by the pandemic, finds a study by the ifo commissioned by Chamber of Commerece and Industry (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria.
War in Ukraine: Negative Effects in North and East Europe
Economic experts in Northern and Eastern Europe are seeing the negative impact of the war in Ukraine on the political and economic situation in their countries particularly clearly. This is a finding of the Economic Experts Survey (EES) conducted by the ifo Institute and the Swiss Economic Policy Institute (IWP).
Poor Report for Germany As A Business Location
According to the latest ifo Economists Panel, economics professors gave Germany a grade of just 3.4 (on a scale of 1 to 6, 1 being the best score) when compared to other business locations. This is according to the latest ifo Economists Panel. A grade of 3 was awarded by 38% of respondents, 20% gave a 2, 17% a 4, and 20% a 5.
Sentiment In The German Automotive Industry Improves
The business climate in Germany’s automotive industry brightened again in April, rising to -1.5 points, up from -5.3 in March. “Companies in Germany’s automotive industry rate their current business situation as slightly better, but more importantly, their outlook once again turned much less pessimistic than in March,” explains ifo-expert Anita Wölfl.