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Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)

June 2024

  • The latest indicators still paint a subdued picture of the German economy at the start of summer: the palpable brightening of the sentiment indicators for the industrial sector, construction and services and the improvements in the overall framework are only beginning to become apparent in the real data. Short-term dampening factors in the industrial sector due to weak foreign demand and disruptions of production resulting from the floods in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are countered by factors stimulating demand for consumer-related services in connection with the European Football Championship.
  • Output in the goods-producing sector is not yet reflective of a sustained recovery. In April, it fell by 0.1% compared to the preceding month, resulting in near stagnation. While construction output fell by a significant -2.1% again in April, industrial output expanded slightly by +0.2%. Following the previous declines, energy generation increased noticeably by 1.6%. Production in the particularly energy-intensive industries was down 0.9% in April. However, the two-month comparison shows an expansion of output from the industrial sector (+0.6 %), capital goods (+1.2 %) and particularly the energy-intensive industries (+1.5 %).
  • Retail trade slowed down slightly in April. Real retail turnover (excluding motor vehicles) fell slightly by 0.2% month-on-month. Compared with April 2023, the retail sector experienced a small increase in turnover of +0.3% (March: +1.1%). Overall, the leading indicators are increasingly suggesting the arrival of a recovery, albeit from a low level.
  • The inflation rate rose slightly to 2.4% in May. Much of this increase is attributable to a base effect resulting from last May’s introduction of a flat-rate public transport ticket that is valid across Germany at a cost of €49 per month. The core rate (excluding energy and food) remained unchanged at 3.0%. Food prices were up 0.6% in April compared to a year ago. Energy prices continued to fall compared to a year ago, but at a slower rate (- 1.1%). Overall, the fundamentals suggest that price development will be moderate in the course of the year.
  • The labour market continued to be shaped by weak short-term cyclical dynamism in May: unemployment, in seasonally adjusted terms, rose by 25,000 persons, whereas the number of gainfully employed persons rose by 25,000 in April. Once again, this job growth was largely attributable to the services sector, which more than compensates for the job losses seen in industrial branches that are particularly sensitive to short-term economic developments. The latest leading indicators send mixed signals, which, taken together, suggest that the current trend is likely to continue.
  • According to the insolvency indicator of the German Economic Institute (IW) in Halle, insolvencies of partnerships and corporations fell by 7% in May compared to the preceding month.
     

May 2024

  • Economic development in Germany picked up slightly at the beginning of the year with real GDP growth of 0.2% in the first quarter. Growth was primarily fuelled by construction investment (weather-related) and net foreign demand (exports minus imports). In contrast, investment in equipment and consumer spending are likely to have remained weak. Given lower inflation rates, expected monetary policy easing, rising wages and incomes, a stable labour market and increasing impetus from foreign trade, the economic recovery will gradually consolidate and broaden out and it will pick up momentum.
  • According to the Federal Statistical Office, output in the manufacturing sector fell slightly by 0.4% in March compared to the previous month in price-, calendar- and seasonally adjusted terms. Industrial output also dropped recently, falling by 0.4%. However, output in the construction industry increased by 1.0%. Output in energy generation fell again by 4.2 %. In a quarter-on-quarter comparison, there was noticeable growth of 0.7 % and 1.0 % in industry and the manufacturing sector as a whole, despite the recent setbacks. In the construction industry, there was a significant increase of 3.9 % in the first quarter compared to the previous quarter, which was probably partly due to the mild weather.
  • Price-adjusted retail turnover (excluding motor vehicles) rose noticeably by 1.8% in March compared to the previous month, after falling in the previous four months. Compared to the previous year, the retail sector reported a real sales increase of 0.3%. Overall, the leading indicators for consumer spending are trending increasingly upwards, albeit from a low level.
  • The inflation rate remained unchanged at 2.2% in April. Inflation has been on a downward trend since March 2023. Food prices rose by 0.5% in April compared to the same month last year, after falling in March for the first time since February 2015. Energy prices, however, fell further compared to the same month last year, most recently by 1.2%. In the services sector, prices continued to rise at an above-average rate of +3.4 %.
  • On the labour market, the usual spring upturn is lacking momentum due to weak economic activity. The upward trend in unemployment continued with an increase of 10,000 persons (seasonally adjusted). At the same time, employment continued to rise in March (+8,000 seasonally adj.), but at a slower pace. Some leading indicators have recently deteriorated somewhat. As a result of the expected economic recovery and the increasing employment of refugees from Ukraine, the situation on the labour market is likely to improve later in the year.
  • According to final figures, the number of corporate insolvencies rose by 10.0 % in February compared to the previous month (+31.1 % year-on-year) to 1,785. This is the highest monthly growth rate since March 2022. The insolvency trend of the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Halle (IWH) for April 2024 shows 1,367 insolvencies of partnerships and corporations, the highest figure since recording began in January 2016. At the same time, the IWH expects insolvency figures to ease from May or June at the latest.
     

April 2024

  • The latest short-term economic indicators are suggesting a turnaround is happening, even though the overall picture is mixed: favourable weather conditions and pent-up activity after high sickness rates at the end of last year are boosting output in industry and construction. Sentiment in the industrial sector and among private consumers has brightened significantly since the start of the year. Foreign trade is also seeing a slight revitalisation. Nevertheless, risk levels remain high due to weak ordering activity and ongoing geopolitical insecurity, especially in the Middle East.
  • The goods-producing sector was able to expand its output by 2.1% (adjusted for price, seasonal and calendar variations) between January and February. This is the second successive substantial rise. Industrial output also continued to rise (+1.9%) in that period. Prior to this, it had been falling since May 2023. The construction industry saw strong growth of +7.9%, following on from an expansion of 2.9% in January. Much of the positive development seen in the construction industry in February is likely to be attributable to the mild weather, whilst the considerable expansion of output from the goods-producing sector is certainly owed in part to pent-up activity after a time of high sickness rates.
  • Real retail turnover excluding motor vehicles fell considerably by 1.7% in February compared to the preceding month, resulting in the fourth successive downward development month-on-month. Compared with the same month a year ago, the retail sector experienced a real decline in turnover of 2.6%. Overall, the leading indicators for private consumption increased by a slight margin, albeit at a low level.
  • The inflation rate fell to 2.2% in March – its lowest level since April 2021. This means that inflation has been trending downwards since March 2023. Prices for food fell for the first time since February 2015 (-0.7% year-on-year). Energy prices also fell again compared to the same month of the preceding year, this time by 2.7%. By contrast, inflation in the services sector saw a slight increase again (+3.7%).
  • The labour market continued to add new jobs in February, albeit at a slower pace, with unemployment also rising. While the goods-producing sector and other industries whose performance is highly correlated with short-term economic development saw a decline in the number of jobs, the services sector created new ones. The leading indicators suggest that this trend is likely to continue: according to the IAB labour market barometer, unemployment is set to rise again over the next few months, along with employment. The ifo employment barometer has continued to brighten a little, but service providers remain the only sector to expect to add new jobs.
  • The Halle Institute for Economic Research’s Bankruptcy Update puts the number of insolvencies at 1,297 in March, which is up 9% from the preceding month (+35% compared to March 2023). According to the Institute, this is the highest figure since it began collecting data in 2016. However, the leading indicators suggest that the number of insolvencies might recede a little as of May.
     

March 2024

  • Despite positive trends in industrial output, construction and foreign trade at the start of 2024, a noticeable economic recovery is not yet in sight. This is due to continuing weak domestic demand, high financing costs and the subdued sentiment still present among private households and companies. In their latest forecasts, most economic research institutes expect GDP to fall again in the first quarter of 2024.
  • According to the Federal Statistical Office, production in the manufacturing sector rose by +1.0% in January compared to the previous month. This marks the first noticeable increase in 11 months. Industry and construction both increased their output (+1.1% and +2.7% respectively). By contrast, the energy sector reported a significant decline (-3.7%). As expected, there was a drop in new manufacturing orders in January compared to the previous month (-11.3%). Thanks to large orders, there had been an increase of 12% in December. In a two-month comparison, which is less susceptible to fluctuation, orders were up 5.9%. Excluding large orders, the order volume fell by 2.1%.
  • Real retail turnover excluding motor vehicles fell by 0.4% in January compared to the preceding month, resulting in the third consecutive downward development. Year-on-year, the retail sector experienced a real sales decline of 1.5% in January. Overall, the leading indicators are largely moving sideways and only at a very low level.
  • Inflation stood at 2.5% in February, its lowest rate since June 2021. This was down from 2.9% in January. This means that inflation has been trending downwards since March 2023. At 0.9%, year-on-year inflation on food was at its lowest since December 2020. Since the outbreak of the war, the price increase had remained disproportionately high. Consumer prices for energy were 2.4% lower in February than in the same month of the previous year despite the fact that the energy price brakes had been lifted and the price of carbon raised in January 2024.
  • The labour market continues to prove robust overall considering the period of economic weakness, but remains ambivalent: although unemployment rose slightly, up by 11,000 people in February, employment and employment subject to social insurance contributions also increased significantly in January and December. The leading indicators deteriorated somewhat, but demand for labour remains high.
  • The Halle Institute for Economic Research’s Bankruptcy Update shows an increase in corporate insolvencies of 10.8% (+1,193) for February 2024 over the previous month (same month of the previous year: +43.2%). According to the Institute, this is the highest figure since it began collecting data in 2016. It expects insolvency figures to continue to rise in the coming months.
     

February 2024

  • After weak economic growth at the end of 2023 with a decline in real GDP of 0.3 per cent, current leading indicators do not yet point to a recovery at the beginning of the year. The mood among consumers has recently deteriorated again. Negative factors such as weak foreign demand, strikes in public transport, high levels of sick leave among employees and geopolitical tensions resulting in supply chain delays could lead to a further delay in the expected economic recovery.
  • Output in the goods-producing sector fell by 1.6% in December as compared to the previous month, resulting in another noticeable dip at the end of the year. Output declined in both industry and the construction sector (-1.5% and -3.4% respectively). In contrast, the energy sector again registered a strong increase (+4.1%). New manufacturing orders increased markedly in December compared to the preceding month (+8.9%), following stagnation in November (0.0%) and a noticeable decrease in October (-3.8%). However, the two-month comparison shows that new orders in December were once again characterised by fluctuations in the number of large orders; excluding these, industrial orders fell by 2.2%.
  • After falling by 0.8% in November, real retail sales excluding motor vehicles declined further by -1.6% in December. Year-on-year, the retail sector experienced a real sales decline of 1.8% in December. The leading indicators for the future development of consumer spending currently present a mixed picture:
  • The inflation rate stood at 2.9% in January: that is the lowest level since June 2021. In December, the rate was noticeably higher (3.7%), which was largely due to a base effect caused by the immediate assistancein December 2022. This base effect no longer had an impact in January 2024, meaning that the previous year’s rate fell noticeably – even though the cap on energy prices expired and the carbon price increased.
  • The labour market developed a bit more favourably at the beginning of the year owing to mild weather. Seasonally adjusted unemployment fell by 2,000 people in January. The labour market saw an increase in employment in December and jobs subject to social insurance contributions also rose slightly in November. The leading indicators provided a mixed picture in January: while the number of reported jobs stagnated, the IAB labour market barometer improved and pointed to more favourable employment prospects.
  • The Halle Institute for Economic Research’s Bankruptcy Update for January 2024 showed an almost unchanged figure compared to the previous month. The institute assumes that the number of corporate insolvencies will continue to rise in the coming months.
     

January 2024

  • The phase of economic weakness continued at the turn of the year. Gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 1⁄4 % at the end of 2023 after price, seasonal and calendar adjustments and current leading indicators do not suggest a rapid economic recovery as yet. However, the downward trend in inflation, rising real wages and the gradual recovery in the global economy will help reduce some of the main burdens for the German economy over the course of this year. This will spur a recovery driven primarily by the domestic economy.
  • Output in the goods-producing sector continued to decline in November and was down 0.7%. There were further declines in industry and construction (-0.5 % and -2.9 % respectively), while the energy sector once again reported a significant increase (+3.9 %). While there have recently been signs of domestic orders starting to stabilise in key areas, weak foreign demand, particularly from the eurozone, continues to restrain industrial activity. The industrial economy is not expected to recover until later in the year, when the domestic economy and exports pick up again.
  • Real retail sales excluding motor vehicles fell noticeably by 2.2% in November compared with the previous month, after a marked rise in October (+1.3 %). Compared with the same month a year ago, the retail sector experienced a real sales decline of 2.0% in November. Leading indicators currently present a mixed picture: while private consumer sentiment is tending to improve, the business situation in the retail sector is rated as rather unsatisfactory according to surveys conducted by ifo and the HDE trade association.
  • The inflation rate is expected to have totalled 3.7% in December, compared to 3.2% in November. The main reason for this was a base effect due to the so-called December Immediate Assistance provided at the end of 2022. At the beginning of this year, the inflation trend is likely to be influenced by tax and fiscal measures. However, inflation-reducing factors (falling producer and import prices, the ECB’s tight monetary policy, appropriate wage settlements and normalisation of profit margins) will continue to dominate the development during the rest of the year.
  • The trend on the labour market showed the usual seasonal development at the end of the year. Unemployment rose in unadjusted figures as usual in December; adjusted for seasonal fluctuations, there was a slight increase of 5,000 people. Employment continued to trend upwards in November. Leading indicators improved across the board, but do not yet point to a fundamental reversal of the trend.
  • According to final figures, the number of insolvency filings fell by 4.9% in October 2023 (1,481) compared to the previous month. Compared to the same month last year, there was an increase of 19.0%. Corporate insolvencies are still slightly below the pre-Covid level.
     

December 2023

  • After a fall in GDP in the third quarter, current economic indicators suggest that economic growth will continue to be weak throughout the fourth quarter. The previously positive investment trend in particular is likely to weaken perceptibly, whilst consumer spending is likely to stabilise as real wages are rising once again. The latest indicators of sentiment among companies and households suggest a slightly more positive outlook for the coming year.
  • Output in the manufacturing sector fell by 0.4% between September and October, continuing the downward trend observed since the summer. In October, industrial output decreased by 0.5% and construction sector output by 2.2%. The energy sector, however, registered an impressive increase of 7.1% after decreases in the previous two months. Whilst the latest figures for new orders do not yet reflect a permanent reversal of this trend, current indicators of sentiment suggest a bottoming-out, making a stabilisation of industrial activity likely.
  • Real retail sales excluding motor vehicles rose by 1.1% in October compared with the previous month, after a stagnation in September (-0.1%). The number of new registrations of passenger cars by private owners decreased by 3.2% in November, following a strong rise (of +9.1%) in October. Most recently, the leading indicators for consumer spending have suggested a rather restrained development: however, rising wages and falling inflation rates are likely to lead to a stabilisation.
  • In November, the rate of inflation was 3.2%. That is the lowest level since June 2021. Year-on-year, food prices again rose at a disproportionately high rate (+5.5%) in November, although inflation continued to ease here too (October: +6.1%). Energy prices compared to the same month in the preceding year fell for the second time since January 2021 (-4.5%). Last year’s measures to curb prices are likely to lead to a temporary rise in inflation rates in the coming months, as the result of changes in the reference figure.
  • The weak development of the labour market continued in November. Seasonally adjusted unemployment increased by 22,000 people. Seasonally adjusted employment rose slightly in October (+15,000). Early indicators currently do not suggest a change in this labour market trend. The labour market is not expected to see a sustained improvement unless and until the economy picks up speed next year.
  • According to the final figures, the number of companies filing for insolvency in September remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous month and stands at 1,557 (+0.1%). Since June/July, a stabilisation of the number of insolvencies has been observed. However, they are still up by 26.7% compared to the preceding year. The number of corporate insolvencies remains slightly (-4.5%) below the pre-COVID mean value (2016-2019). The number of employees affected by an insolvency remains at a high level too: in September, it was around 91% above the previous year’s figure and 67% above the September mean value of the pre-COVID years (2016-2019). According to the Halle Institute for Economic Research’s Bankruptcy Update, the number of insolvencies decreased by 5.8% in November 2023 compared to the previous month (+20.9% compared to November 2022). The preliminary figure for regular insolvencies filed also slightly declined in November (-1.8%, +18.8% year-on-year).
     

November 2023

  • Declining levels of consumer spending and weak foreign demand were the drivers behind the stagnation in the German economy that continued throughout Q3. Even though the overall economic environment is improving – thanks to significantly falling inflation rates, growing real incomes and a slight brightening of business sentiment – the weak statistics from the end of Q3 are putting a burden on the beginning of the last quarter of 2023.
  • Industrial output shrank markedly between August and September (-1.7%), whereas construction sector output stagnated (0.0%). New orders in the manufacturing sector saw a slight increase towards the end of the quarter (+0.2%). However, stabilising demand and also the sentiment indicators such as ifo business expectations and the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment suggest that industrial activity may be bottoming out.
  • Development in the retail trade remained weak. Real retail turnover (excluding cars) dropped by 0.6% between August and September. However, the combination of rising wages and falling inflation rates means that consumer spending is likely to recover over the coming quarters.
  • In October, the inflation rate fell to 3.8% – the lowest level recorded since August 2021. Energy prices fell for the first time since January 2021 (-3.2%), albeit due to a base effect caused by the high level of energy prices in 2022. Prices of foodstuffs continued to rise at a disproportionate rate (+6.1%) in October, but inflation lessened even for these (September: +7.5%).
  • The job market continues to be marked by the period of economic weakness, resulting in a low-level autumn recovery. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rose by 30,000 people in October. The labour market is not expected to see a recovery until the spring.
  • According to the final figures, the number of companies filing for insolvency in July (1,586) was +2.5% higher than in June (and up +37.4% from July 2022). The trend towards higher insolvency figures that began in mid-2022 is therefore continuing. According to the Halle Institute for Economic Research’s Bankruptcy Update, the number of insolvencies is likely to increase slightly by 2.1% in October compared to September (+43.6% compared to October 2022). For interpretation of these figures, it is important to note that the considerable increases compared to the figures for 2022 are partly due to a base effect: up until mid-2022, filings for insolvency were at a historic low stemming from the temporary suspension of the obligation to file for insolvency and by comprehensive government support measures.
     

October 2023

  • The German economy is only emerging slowly from the setbacks caused by the energy price shock, the tighter monetary policy and the global economic softening. This is delaying the generally expected economic recovery. The third quarter is expected to see another slight fall in gross domestic product.
  • Industrial output rose slightly between July and August (+0.5%), although both the construction sector (-2.4%) and the energy sector (-6.6%) registered significant declines. The order reserves in the manufacturing sector expanded by 3.9%. The renewed rise in demand and a cautious stabilisation of some indicators of sentiment suggest that industrial output is bottoming out and could pick up speed again at the turn of the year.
  • Real retail turnover (excluding cars) dropped by 1.2% between July and August, but at the same time the new registrations of cars by private individuals rose clearly, by 12.1%. Overall, the retail turnover including cars – an important component of consumer spending – was probably up in real terms.
  • The rate of inflation fell substantially to 4.5% in September, mainly due to a base effect resulting from the end in September 2022 of the 9-euro public transport ticket and of the tax cut for motor fuel. In view of the declining price pressures at the upstream levels of the economy, the coming months are expected to see a further slow fall-off in inflation.
  • The cyclical weakness has meant that the autumn uptick on the labour market has been small. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rose by 10,000 people in September. The leading indicators of the Institute for Labour Market Research and ifo deteriorated significantly. The labour market is not expected to see a recovery until the economy picks up speed in the coming spring.
  • Indicators of sentiment (business expectations, purchasing managers index) suggest that the Germany economy could have bottomed out in the third quarter, and will likely pick up speed again around the turn of the year.
     

September 2023

  • The latest figures are indicative of a two-pronged economic development. While the domestic economy has slowly picked up as a result of the slight rise in real wages and a continued positive trend in investment activity, foreign demand continues to slow down due to the weakness of the global economy.
  • Industry again saw a significant drop in output of 1.8%, whereas output in the construction sector increased by 2.6%. After stabilising in the previous month, the particularly energy-intensive industrial sectors again recorded a decline of 0.6%. Following a strong increase in June (+7.6%), new industrial orders were down sharply in July (-11.7%). However, the decline is primarily attributable to one-off special factors resulting from large-scale orders dating from the previous month. Excluding large-scale orders, orders grew by 0.3%.
  • Real retail sales excluding motor vehicles declined slightly again in July (-0.8%). The less volatile three-month comparison, however, still showed an increase of 1.8%. The leading indicators currently still point to restrained growth of consumer spending in the coming months.
  • Consumer price inflation continued its downward trend in August. The inflation rate was 6.1% (July: +6.2%), while core inflation remained at 5.5%. Food prices again rose at a disproportionately high rate (+9.0%) compared with the same month a year ago, although upward pressure on prices continued to ease (July: +11.0%).
  • The cyclical weakness of the economy is also increasingly affecting the labour market. Unemployment rose noticeably by 18,000 persons in August on a seasonally adjusted basis. The sluggish development of the leading indicators from the Institute for Labour Market Research (IAB) and ifo in August continue to suggest slowing momentum in the labour market. Overall, however, the labour market remains largely stable despite the current economic weakness.
  • Current leading indicators, such as order activity and business climate, and also the subdued development of the global economy point to continued weakness in the third quarter; a noticeable economic recovery is not expected until the turn of the year 2023/24 at the earliest.
     

July 2023

  • The economic situation in the early summer continues to be characterised by a high level of uncertainty and by data pointing in different directions. Whilst the external economic environment has remained weak, some domestic economic indicators are now pointing towards a stabilisation. Overall, the economic development in the second quarter is likely to have been very restrained.
  • The latest data on the economic indicators, particularly on new orders and industrial output, point to a moderate underlying economic performance following a significant cooling towards the end of the first quarter. Although business sentiment has worsened, the current stabilisation of demand is suggestive of a gradual recovery of the industrial economy in the coming months.
  • Retail sales (excluding motor vehicles) improved slightly in May compared with the previous month, for the second time in succession. However, consumers continue to be uncertain. Over the coming months, consumer spending is not expected to trigger significant growth in real terms.
  • The upward trend in consumer prices picked up some speed again in June, with the inflation rate standing at 6.4% (May: +6.1%). The core inflation rate also rose by 0.4 percentage points to 5.8%. However, following the declining trend since March, this is mainly due to one-off effects relating to the relief provided by the state a year ago (9-euro monthly public transport ticket, reduction in motor fuel duty).
  • Whilst the labour market appeared to be unaffected by the difficult cyclical situation for a long time, the situation worsened appreciably in June in the wake of the weaker economic performance. Registered unemployment continued to rise, and employment declined. In view of the ongoing skills shortage, however, no sharp rise in unemployment is likely.
  • In April 2023, the number of insolvencies was 14.4% up in year-on-year terms according to official statistics. Current leading indicators are showing a sharp year-on-year rise for June (Halle Institute for Economic Research: 48.1%). According to the institute’s Bankruptcy Update, the number of insolvencies of partnerships and corporations has risen to the highest level since 2016. However, the coming months are expected to see a slight fall. Overall, the trend shows a continuous rise since mid-2022, albeit from a very low level.
  • Generally, falling prices on the global energy markets, slowing inflation, higher wage agreements and the expected global economic recovery all point to a moderate recovery of the German economy in the rest of the year.
     

June 2023

  • After two consecutive quarters of negative growth in the winter half-year 2022/23, current economic indicators suggest a sluggish start to the second quarter. According to the common definition, it can be said that the German economy was in a "technical recession". The higher energy prices, the weak global economy and less favourable financing conditions are still impacting the economy and delaying the expected economic recovery.
  • The underlying cyclical dynamism of the economy has weakened. Industrial output remained virtually unchanged in April after falling sharply by -2.0 per cent in March. New orders fell slightly in April (-0.4 per cent), following a sharp drop in the previous month (-10.9 per cent).
  • Following a noticeable decline in retail sales (excluding motor vehicles) in March, retail trade recovered somewhat in April. Consumer sentiment continued to brighten, but only slightly. Overall, consumer sentiment was still at a very low level because high inflation continues to weigh on household spending.
  • The upward trend in consumer prices weakened further in May, with the inflation rate standing at 6.1 per cent. The rate of core inflation also declined slightly to 5.4 per cent. It is expected that there will be base effects in the further course of the year as a result of the relief measures taken a year ago to curb price increases. These are likely to temporarily reinforce upward pressure on prices.
  • On the labour market, the economic slowdown led to a loss of momentum in the winter half-year. Registered unemployment continued to rise slightly.
  • Looking ahead, falling prices on the global energy markets, slowing inflation, higher wage agreements and the expected global economic recovery all point to a moderate recovery of the German economy in the remaining course of the year.

German Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank)

September 2024

The German economy is still navigating choppy waters. Output in the industrial sector and in construction got off to a sluggish start in the third quarter of 2024, with heightened economic policy uncertainty weighing on business. Furthermore, higher financing costs are still making themselves felt; this is dampening demand for industrial goods and construction work, in particular. Although new orders from abroad appear to be beginning to recover slightly, this did not so far suffice to mitigate the lack of orders in industry overall. In spite of favourable conditions – negotiated wages are growing strongly and the labour market outlook remains relatively stable – private consumption is still struggling to get off the ground. Sentiment indicators and data on new passenger car registrations, for example, suggest that consumers remain cautious about spending. Uncertainty about the future outlook for private consumption and services is currently elevated, however. Seasonally adjusted sales in the trade and services sectors are not yet available for the whole of the second quarter. Overall, from today's perspective, real gross domestic product (GDP) could stagnate or decline again somewhat in the third quarter. The prospect of a recession , in the sense of a sharp, broad-based and persistent decline in economic output, looks unlikely at the current time, however.
 

August 2024

The global economy continued to expand moderately in the spring, albeit with regional differences. In China, flagging domestic demand depressed economic growth. In the euro area, the growth seen at the beginning of the year continued. However, there is no sign of a strong, broad-based upswing. In the United States, by contrast, economic activity remained fairly buoyant. Economic growth there was even somewhat stronger than at the beginning of the year.

Global industrial activity continued to pick up in the second quarter, but the short-term outlook has recently deteriorated again somewhat. Industrial output rose significantly, particularly in the United States and Japan. The global industrial recovery thus broadened. The euro area remained a key exception. There, output continued to decline in the second quarter. Global trade increased in line with global industrial output. According to the results of recent surveys of purchasing managers, however, the global industrial recovery may have recently stalled. Industrial output probably barely inched upwards in July, and new orders fell.
 

July 2024

German economic output probably grew somewhat more slowly in the second quarter than expected. Real gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to have increased only slightly in the second quarter of 2024. Temporary hopes that industrial activity would soon pick up were distinctly dampened when data for May was published. There was a significant fall in industrial production and the signs of stabilisation in new orders sparked by April's strong order growth tailed off markedly. The industrial sector is therefore likely to have slowed economic activity in the second quarter. Higher financing costs continued to weigh on investment and thus on domestic demand for industrial goods and construction work. For this reason – as well as due to a counter-effect following the mild weather in the first quarter – construction output, too, is likely to have fallen in the second quarter. By contrast, the recovery in the services sector probably continued, as indicated, for example, by survey results from the ifo Institute and S&P Global. Private consumption is likely to have buoyed demand for services. Overall, available indicators suggest that private consumption increased slightly in the second quarter. 

Economic activity is likely to strengthen somewhat in the third quarter. Private consumption will probably pick up a little more momentum. This is likely to be supported, in particular, by the favourable framework conditions of strongly rising wages, subsiding inflation and a robust labour marketFurthermore, in spite of the disappointing June results, pessimism among retailers and service providers declined markedly overall in the second quarter according to the ifo Institute's Business Climate Index. This is also true for the manufacturing sector. However, the recent dip in industrial new orders suggests that the spell of weak demand has not yet been fully overcome and that industrial activity is likely to improve only slowly. As things currently stand, GDP growth in the third quarter, too, could therefore fall short of the expectations expressed in the Bundesbank’s June forecast for Germany.
 

June 2024

The German economy is slowly regaining its footing after a roughly two-year period of weakness. The services sector has already seen the beginning of an upturn, which will probably intensify sooner rather than later as private consumption gradually picks up again. Starting from the second half of the year, industry is also likely to expand once export business improves again. The economic recovery will be driven by consumption and exports as of 2025 as well. Households are benefiting from strong wage growth, a gradual decline in inflation and the stable labour market. Rising foreign demand is bolstering the export industry. Private investment continues to decline initially, providing perceptible growth stimulus only as of 2026. The German economy therefore grows again somewhat in the current year before expanding more strongly in the years after that. Calendar-adjusted real GDP increases by 0.3% in 2024, 1.1% in 2025 and 1.4% in 2026. This is broadly in line with the last Forecast for Germany, published in December 2023.

Although the inflation rate in Germany continues to recede, it remains persistently high. As measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), it looks set to fall from last year's 6.0% to 2.8% this year. Energy and food price inflation in particular is easing considerably. Core inflation (the rate excluding energy and food) is likewise declining markedly, but the disinflation process is much slower here. The core rate is likely to reach 3.1% in 2024 before decreasing only relatively hesitantly to 2.5% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2026. This is mainly due to the strongly rising labour costs. These will also spark another fairly robust surge in food prices, especially next year. Energy price inflation will then also pick up again. The headline HICP rate will drop to 2.7% in 2025 and 2.2% in 2026. The inflation outlook for 2024 and 2025 has been revised upwards slightly compared to the December 2023 Forecast for Germany. It remains unchanged for 2026. The revisions are mainly due to stronger services inflation, higher oil prices and somewhat sharper rises in food prices. 
 

May 2024

Economic output in Germany up again recently

German economic output rose somewhat in the first quarter of 2024. According to the Federal Statistical Office‘s flash estimate, seasonally adjusted real GDP rose by 0.2% on the previous quarter. It had fallen sharply in the final quarter of 2023, by 0.5% according to revised data.1 Growth was recorded in the construction sector, in particular, but also in industry and probably in services as well in the first quarter of 2024. This was partly due to favourable weather conditions for construction activity. The previous quarter had seen weather detrimental to construction, by contrast, producing the major swing now seen in construction. In energy-intensive industry, the negative trend did not persist and production picked up substantially. Moreover, the sickness rate was not quite as high as in the previous quarter, which is also likely to have bolstered economic output. In addition, the remaining backlog of orders enabled production to increase in construction but above all in industry, as demand remains weak in both sectors. There was a sharp contraction in new orders for industry from both Germany and abroad in the first quarter of 2024. This is a reflection of the fact that global trade remained subdued and increased financing costs off the back of the interest rate reversal as well as greater economic policy uncertainty dampened domestic investment. Higher financing costs also weighed on new orders in the main construction sector. Private consumers remained unsettled, meaning that their consumption was still sluggish even though their income situation is likely to have improved significantly thanks to a stable labour market and a renewed rise in real wages. The fact that the services sector expanded in spite of this is probably due to growth in sectors more related to industry and business.
 

April 2024

The German economy has brightened somewhat, but a widespread upturn is still far from certain.

 Real gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to have increased slightly in the first quarter. This expectation is supported by a somewhat higher level of industrial output recently, which was also driven by a rise in goods exports. In addition, unusually mild weather in February led to exceptionally strong growth in construction output. However, industrial output remains weak in many economic sectors, and construction output is likely to fall again significantly without the supportive weather effects. Overall, there is still no sign of a sustained improvement for the German economy, as negative factors persist. Higher financing costs and heightened economic policy uncertainty are dampening business investment. Demand for German industrial products is still weak domestically and abroad and is continuing to trend downwards. Likewise, the negative trend in demand for housing construction continued unabated. Households are still reluctant to increase their consumption expenditure despite a fairly stable labour market, substantially higher wages, falling inflation rates and thus a recovery in real incomes. Averaged across January and February, for example, retail sales were markedly down on the previous quarter. It is therefore not yet clear whether the increase in economic output will continue in the second quarter. However, the sentiment among firms, especially business expectations as surveyed by the ifo Institute, has recently shown a marked and broad-based improvement. If business sentiment continues to brighten, the underlying cyclical trend could pick up more clearly than was expected one month previously.
 

March 2024

Underlying trends: Economic recovery in Germany stalling

The economic recovery in Germany is stalling. Real gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to decline again slightly in the first quarter. The German economy continues to experience headwinds from various directions. Industry, in particular, is likely to remain sluggish. Orders for domestic industrial goods dropped further in Germany and abroad. Higher financing costs continue to dampen domestic demand, particularly in the area of investment. Heightened economic policy uncertainty is a further drag, especially with regard to the future direction of climate and transformation policy. Enterprises also perceive economic policy framework conditions, such as the growing burden of bureaucracy and regulation, as a barrier. Private consumption is not expected to provide any major stimulus for now, either. Consumers are unsettled and reluctant to spend, even though their scope for spending is generally improving on the back of falling inflation rates and a steep rise in wages. At least the previously very high sickness rate is slowly easing and construction is likely to have been temporarily bolstered by the mild weather in February, although the sector is still navigating choppy waters.  Overall, too, the still depressed survey indicators, such as business expectations as surveyed by the ifo Institute, also currently provide little evidence of an economic recovery for the second quarter.
 

February 2024

Moderate growth in global economy given pronounced regional and sectoral differences

The global economy saw moderate growth in the final quarter of 2023, with regional differences in global activity persisting. In the euro area, economic output stagnated. In China, too, growth remained subdued in view of the ongoing downturn in the real estate market. By contrast, the US economy continued to expand at a brisk pace. Overall, the global economy remained solid in spite of strains such as the still relatively high energy and food prices, the tightening of monetary policy in many regions, heightened geopolitical risks and a variety of structural challenges.

Global industrial output increased moderately in the fourth quarter of 2023, again driven by the emerging market economies. In the advanced economies, by contrast, output has been falling on a trend basis for more than a year, with weak industrial activity in the euro area being a key factor. Imports of goods by advanced economies declined even more sharply. According to business surveys, 2024, too, got off to a subdued start in the industrial sector and global trade. The services sector, on the other hand, appears to be gaining momentum.
 

January 2024

Germany’s real gross domestic product (GDP) probably declined somewhat in the fourth quarter of 2023.1 Foreign orders for the German industrial sector receded further. Higher financing costs continued to dampen investment, particularly in housing construction. Uncertainty about the future direction of fiscal and climate policy is also likely to have weighed on economic activity. Consumers remained cautious. Their consumption expenditure is unlikely to have increased by much, even though their scope for spending probably expanded seeing as the labour market remained robust, inflation came down and wages grew strongly. In addition, economic activity was dampened by unfavourable weather conditions for construction activity and a relatively high sickness rate according to data from company health insurance funds. While the remaining backlog of orders in industry and construction is likely to have had a bolstering effect, output in both sectors dropped substantially. Overall, the economy is currently in slightly weaker shape than expected in the December projection. Signs that foreign demand for industrial goods had already bottomed out were not borne out by the data. In addition, the business climate deteriorated further in January 2024 according to the ifo Institute. However, households’ income situation is improving as expected. All in all, German economic output could be stagnant at best in the first quarter of 2024.2 This would mean a delay in the recovery expected in the December projection.
 

December 2023

Real gross domestic product (GDP) in Germany is likely to decline again slightly in the fourth quarter of 2023, mainly on account of the slowdown in industry and construction. Both sectors had a weak start to the quarter, with output in October significantly lower than the average over the three months preceding. They continue to suffer from weak demand. Order backlogs are acting as less and less of a buffer.  Industrial output is also being depressed by the previous rise in energy prices. Higher financing costs continue to dampen investment, particularly in housing construction. On average across all sectors, firms assessed their business situation averaged over October and November to be somewhat worse still than in the previous quarter, according to the ifo Institute. By contrast, private consumption is likely to be re-covering slowly. In October, for example, households increased their spending in the retail sector and on motor vehicles. Their real disposable income is currently improving as wages continue to rise steeply and inflation moderates. The stable labour market is underpinning this development. At the beginning of next year, the German economy is likely to see slight growth again.


November 2023

Muted economic activity amid declining but still high inflation 

Global economic activity remained divided in the third quarter. Euro area economic growth continued to be sluggish. By contrast, economic growth in the United States and China picked up significantly, driven mainly by buoyant private consumption. This also boosted global economic growth, albeit probably only temporarily. The tightening of monetary policy in many regions of the world, the high energy prices and the specific structural challenges in China continue to be a drag on the global economy.
 

October 2023

Real gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to have contracted somewhat in the third quarter of 2023.1 Several factors dragged on the German economy, such as continued weak foreign demand for industrial products. Higher financing costs also dampened investment. This depressed domestic demand in the industrial sector and, above all, in construction. Only some of this was cushioned by the existing order backlog. Output in industry and the main construction sector therefore declined significantly in the third quarter. Tailwinds for the German economy came from the still robust labour market and steep wage increases amidst subsiding inflation. However, households were probably not yet using their additional scope for spending to increase their consumption. This is signalled by consumption indicators, such as weak real sales in retail and in the hotel and restaurant sector. Furthermore, surveys conducted by the market research institution GfK point to a high propensity to save. The weakness of industry and private consumption also weighed on many services sectors, as indicated by ifo Institute surveys and the S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index.
 

September 2023

German economic output will probably contract somewhat in the third quarter of 2023. It is unlikely that private consumption will offer any discernible positive impetus. Households are still reluctant to spend despite the slight easing in price inflation, strong wage growth and favourable labour market. Alongside consumer restraint, economic output is also being depressed by the growing weakness in industry. The further fall in the already low level of new orders and weaker order books are having more and more of an impact on industrial output. Higher financing costs are also likely to be contributing to weak domestic and foreign demand.

European Central Bank (ECB)

Issue 6 - 2024

At its meeting on 12 September 2024, the Governing Council decided to lower the deposit facility rate – the rate through which it steers the monetary policy stance – by 25 basis points. Based on the Governing Council’s updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission, it was appropriate to take another step in moderating the degree of monetary policy restriction.

Recent inflation data have come in broadly as expected, and the September 2024 ECB staff macroeconomic projections confirm the previous inflation outlook. ECB staff see headline inflation averaging 2.5% in 2024, 2.2% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026, as in the June 2024 Eurosystem staff macroeconomic projections. Inflation is expected to rise again in the latter part of this year, partly because previous sharp falls in energy prices will drop out of the annual rates. Inflation should then decline towards the Governing Council’s target over the second half of next year. For core inflation, the projections for 2024 and 2025 have been revised up slightly, as services inflation has been higher than expected. At the same time, ECB staff continue to expect a rapid decline in core inflation, from 2.9% this year to 2.3% in 2025 and 2.0% in 2026.
 

Issue 5 - 2024

At its meeting on 18 July 2024, the Governing Council decided to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. The incoming information broadly supports the Governing Council’s previous assessment of the medium-term inflation outlook. While some measures of underlying inflation ticked up in May owing to one-off factors, most measures were either stable or edged down in June. In line with expectations, the inflationary impact of high wage growth has been buffered by profits. Monetary policy is keeping financing conditions restrictive. At the same time, domestic price pressures are still high, services inflation is elevated and headline inflation is likely to remain above the target well into next year.

The Governing Council is determined to ensure that inflation returns to its 2% medium-term target in a timely manner. It will keep policy rates sufficiently restrictive for as long as necessary to achieve this aim. The Governing Council will continue to follow a data-dependent and meeting-by-meeting approach to determining the appropriate level and duration of restriction. In particular, its interest rate decisions will be based on its assessment of the inflation outlook in light of the incoming economic and financial data, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission. The Governing Council is not pre-committing to a particular rate path.
 

Issue 4 - 2024

At its meeting on 6 June 2024, the Governing Council decided to lower the three key ECB interest rates by 25 basis points. Based on an updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission, it was appropriate to moderate the degree of monetary policy restriction after nine months of holding rates steady. Since the Governing Council meeting in September 2023, inflation has fallen by more than 2.5 percentage points and the inflation outlook has improved markedly. Underlying inflation has also eased, reinforcing the signs that price pressures have weakened, and inflation expectations have declined at all horizons. Monetary policy has kept financing conditions restrictive. By dampening demand and keeping inflation expectations well anchored, this has made a major contribution to bringing inflation back down.

At the same time, despite the progress over recent quarters, domestic price pressures remain strong as wage growth is elevated, and inflation is likely to stay above target well into next year. The latest Eurosystem staff projections for both headline and core inflation have been revised up for 2024 and 2025 compared with the March projections. Staff now see headline inflation averaging 2.5% in 2024, 2.2% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. For inflation excluding energy and food, staff project an average of 2.8% in 2024, 2.2% in 2025 and 2.0% in 2026. Economic growth is expected to pick up to 0.9% in 2024, 1.4% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026.
 

Issue 3 - 2024

At its meeting on 11 April 2024, the Governing Council decided to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. The incoming information broadly confirmed the Governing Council’s previous assessment of the medium-term inflation outlook. Inflation has continued to fall, led by lower food and goods price inflation. Most measures of underlying inflation are easing, wage growth is gradually moderating, and firms are absorbing part of the rise in labour costs in their profits. Financing conditions remain restrictive and the past interest rate increases continue to weigh on demand, which is helping to push down inflation. But domestic price pressures are strong and are keeping services price inflation high.

The Governing Council is determined to ensure that inflation returns to its 2% medium-term target in a timely manner. It considers that the key ECB interest rates are at levels that are making a substantial contribution to the ongoing disinflation process. The Governing Council’s future decisions will ensure that the key ECB interest rates will stay sufficiently restrictive for as long as necessary. If the updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission were to further increase the Governing Council’s confidence that inflation is converging to its target in a sustained manner, it would be appropriate to reduce the current level of monetary policy restriction. In any event, the Governing Council will continue to follow a data-dependent and meeting-by-meeting approach to determining the appropriate level and duration of restriction, and it is not pre-committing to a particular rate path.
 

Issue 2 - 2024

At its meeting on 7 March 2024, the Governing Council decided to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. Since its monetary policy meeting on 25 January 2024, inflation has declined further. In the March 2024 ECB staff macroeconomic projections for the euro area, inflation has been revised down, in particular for 2024 which mainly reflects a lower contribution from energy prices. Staff now project inflation to average 2.3% in 2024, 2.0% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. The projections for inflation excluding energy and food have also been revised down and average 2.6% for 2024, 2.1% for 2025 and 2.0% for 2026. Although most measures of underlying inflation have eased further, domestic price pressures remain high, in part owing to strong growth in wages. Financing conditions are restrictive and the past interest rate increases continue to weigh on demand, which is helping push down inflation. Staff have revised down their growth projection for 2024 to 0.6%, with economic activity expected to remain subdued in the near term. Thereafter, staff expect the economy to pick up and to grow at 1.5% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026, supported initially by consumption and later also by investment.
 

Issue 1 - 2024

At its meeting on 25 January 2024, the Governing Council decided to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. The incoming information broadly confirmed its previous assessment of the medium-term inflation outlook. Aside from an energy-related upward base effect on headline inflation, the declining trend in underlying inflation has continued, and the past interest rate increases keep being transmitted forcefully into financing conditions. Tight financing conditions are dampening demand, and this is helping to push down inflation.

The Governing Council is determined to ensure that inflation returns to its 2% medium-term target in a timely manner. Based on its current assessment, the Governing Council considers that the key ECB interest rates are at levels that, maintained for a sufficiently long duration, will make a substantial contribution to this goal. The Governing Council’s future decisions will ensure that its policy rates will be set at sufficiently restrictive levels for as long as necessary.

The Governing Council will continue to follow a data-dependent approach to determining the appropriate level and duration of restriction. In particular, the Governing Council’s interest rate decisions will be based on its assessment of the inflation outlook in light of the incoming economic and financial data, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission
 

Issue 8 - 2023

The Governing Council decided at its meeting on 14 December 2023 to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. While inflation has dropped in recent months, it is likely to pick up again temporarily in the near term.[1] According to the December 2023 Eurosystem staff macroeconomic projections for the euro area, inflation is expected to decline gradually over the course of 2024, before approaching the Governing Council’s 2% target in 2025. Overall, Eurosystem staff expect headline inflation to average 5.4% in 2023, 2.7% in 2024, 2.1% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. Compared with the September 2023 ECB staff macroeconomic projections for the euro area, this amounts to a downward revision for 2023 and especially for 2024.

Underlying inflation has eased further. But domestic price pressures remain elevated, primarily owing to strong growth in unit labour costs. Eurosystem staff expect inflation excluding energy and food to average 5.0% in 2023, 2.7% in 2024, 2.3% in 2025 and 2.1% in 2026.
 

Issue 7 - 2023

The Governing Council decided at its meeting on 26 October 2023 to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. The incoming information has broadly confirmed its previous assessment of the medium-term inflation outlook. Inflation is still expected to stay too high for too long, and domestic price pressures remain strong. At the same time, inflation dropped markedly in September, including due to strong base effects, and most measures of underlying inflation have continued to ease. The Governing Council’s past interest rate increases continue to be transmitted forcefully into financing conditions. This is increasingly dampening demand and thereby helps push down inflation.

The Governing Council is determined to ensure that inflation returns to its 2% medium-term target in a timely manner. Based on its current assessment, the Governing Council considers that the key ECB interest rates are at levels that, maintained for a sufficiently long duration, will make a substantial contribution to this goal. The Governing Council’s future decisions will ensure that its policy rates will be set at sufficiently restrictive levels for as long as necessary.
 

Issue 6 - 2023

Inflation continues to decline but is still expected to remain too high for too long. The Governing Council is determined to ensure that inflation returns to its 2% medium-term target in a timely manner. In order to reinforce progress towards its target, the Governing Council decided at its meeting on 14 September 2023 to raise the three key ECB interest rates by 25 basis points.

The rate increase reflects the Governing Council’s assessment of the inflation outlook in light of the incoming economic and financial data, the dynamics of underlying inflation, and the strength of monetary policy transmission. The September 2023 ECB staff macroeconomic projections for the euro area see average inflation at 5.6% in 2023, 3.2% in 2024 and 2.1% in 2025. This is an upward revision for 2023 and 2024 and a downward revision for 2025. The upward revision for 2023 and 2024 mainly reflects a higher path for energy prices. Underlying price pressures remain high, even though most indicators have started to ease. ECB staff have slightly revised down the projected path for inflation excluding energy and food, to an average of 5.1% in 2023, 2.9% in 2024 and 2.2% in 2025. The Governing Council’s past interest rate increases continue to be transmitted forcefully. Financing conditions have tightened further and are increasingly dampening demand, which is an important factor in bringing inflation back to target. With the increasing impact of this tightening on domestic demand and the weakening international trade environment, ECB staff have lowered their economic growth projections significantly. They now expect the euro area economy to expand by 0.7% in 2023, 1.0% in 2024 and 1.5% in 2025.

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