Team
The people behind the ifo Institute offer the very high level of expertise and experience needed to fulfill our research and service mandate.
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.
Parenthood Increases Inequality Between Women And Men In Germany
Inequality in the labor market between men and women in Germany is at its greatest when there are children involved, finds an international research group. Among 30-year-olds, mothers earn on average 70 to 80% less than fathers, whereas the difference is less than 5% for childless people of the same age.
ifo Business Climate Index Rises (April 2024)
Sentiment has improved at companies in Germany. The ifo Business Climate Index rose to 89.4 points in April, up from 87.9 points1 in March. This is its third consecutive rise. Companies were more satisfied with their current business. Their expectations also brightened. The economy is stabilizing, especially thanks to service providers.
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.”
Eastern Germany Hit Harder By The Skills Shortage
Companies in eastern Germany are more affected by the shortage of skilled workers than in the rest of the country, as new results from the ifo Business Survey show. 42.1% of companies in eastern Germany stated that their business was affected by a lack of skilled personnel. The figure for Germany as a whole was 36.3%.
ifo Business Climate Index Falls (December 2023)
Sentiment in German business has clouded over. The ifo Business Climate Index fell to 86.4 points in December, down from 87.2 points (seasonally adjusted) in November. Companies were less satisfied with their current business. They were also more skeptical about the first half of 2024. As the year draws to a close, the German economy remains weak.
Uncertainty Dampens The Mood Of The Self-Employed In Germany
Uncertainty among the self-employed in Germany has increased in March. Thus, the business climate for this segment has deteriorated with the index falling to -15.6 points, down from -14.6 points in February. “Contrary to the situation in the other sectors of the economy, the self-employed are experiencing increasing doubt,” explains Katrin Demmelhuber.
ifo Economic Forecast Spring 2024: German Economy Paralyzed
The ifo Institute has reduced its growth forecast for the current year to 0.2%, down from 0.7% in January and 0.9% in December. But for next year, it raised its growth estimate by 0.2 percentage points to 1.5%.
Germany Only In The Middle Of The Pack
Germany’s current attractiveness as a location for homegrown companies ranks only in the middle among its European peers. When asked to rate Germany’s attractiveness as a business location, the experts there awarded it 61.3 points out of a possible 100. Austria achieved 72.4 points, while Switzerland scored 72.6 points.
German Export Expectations Fall
Sentiment in the German export industry has clouded over a little. The ifo Export Expectations fell to -2.0 points in April, down from -1.2 in March. “The export economy lacks momentum at present. While the global economy offers many good prospects for growth, these aren’t yet being reflected in additional orders”, explains ifo-expert Klaus Wohlrabe.
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%.
Joint Economic Forecast Spring Report 2024: German Economy Ailing
The five leading economic research institutes believe that the German economy is in trouble. In their spring report, they have revised their forecast for the current year significantly downward and now only expect economic output to grow by 0.1%.
Innovation in Germany and the EU - A Path of Strength?
Are we still innovative or have other countries long since left us behind? How do Germany and the EU compare internationally and what is needed for a successful innovation policy? Get to know more about these topics in the new issue of the ifo Schnelldienst 4/2024.
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.
Germany’s Shortage of Skilled Workers Eases Slightly
The shortage of skilled workers among companies in Germany has eased somewhat. According to a recent survey, 36.3% of firms are currently suffering from a shortage of qualified workers, down from 38.7% in October 2023. A year ago, it was 43.6%. “The weakening economy is reducing demand for skilled workers in the short term,” explains Klaus Wohlrabe.
Economists Call For Reform Of EU Research Policy
A report by a group of economists from France, Germany and Italy criticizes the EU’s innovation policy and the direction of spending on research and development in Europe and calls for changes. "The continent is caught in a mid-tech trap", warn ifo President Clemens Fuest.
Celebrate with us!
The jubilee year of ifo and CESifo is titled "75 Years of ifo – 75 Stories." Visit us now at celebrate.ifo.de, the anniversary website showcasing people, places, and times that are significant to the history of our institute in the context of our anniversary year. Explore the first batch of multimedia content now and celebrate with us!
ifo Business Climate Eastern Germany Blossoms With The Start Of Spring
The ifo Business Climate Index Eastern Germany rose considerably in March by climbing to 90.0 points, up from 88.6 points in February. The eastern German companies surveyed provided assessments of their business situation that were somewhat better than the previous month, raising their business expectations slightly as well.
German Companies Plan To Cut Investment
Companies in Germany have revised their investment plans for the current year downward. The ifo investment expectations fell to -0.1 points in March, down from +1.2 points in November. “Global demand for capital goods and intermediate goods remains weak and uncertainties persist regarding economic policy,” explains ifo-expert Lara Zarges.
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.