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Self-employed people in Germany are increasingly worried
Read why the self-employed in Germany are increasingly having doubts, despite the positive overall economic trend. Experts from the Ifo Institute provide insight into the current mood and investment plans. Discover how the German economy is preparing for a possible turnaround.
Self-employed people in Germany are increasingly worried
The mood among the self-employed in Germany deteriorated in March, although the overall economy recorded a positive trend. According to the Munich Ifo Institute, the corresponding barometer has fallen to minus 15.6 points, after minus 14.6 points in February. Ifo expert Katrin Demmelhuber emphasizes that, in contrast to other areas of the economy, self-employed people's doubts are increasing.
An increase in uncertainty can be observed, particularly among self-employed people and small businesses. They assess their current business more negatively and also expect losses in the next six months. Demmelhuber emphasizes that the reluctance of the self-employed is also reflected in their investment behavior. Almost a third plan to invest less in the current year, while only one in six plan to spend more. As a result, the investment plans of the self-employed are lagging behind those of the economy as a whole.
In contrast, the mood in German companies has developed surprisingly positively overall and has reached a level that has not been reached since mid-2023. This optimism is due to the foreseeable turnaround in interest rates, which creates hope in the economy. Both the Ifo Institute and the federal government see a silver lining on the horizon and recognize signs of gradual economic stabilization.
Despite this positive development, Germany remains the problem child of the global economy according to the International Monetary Fund. The growth forecast was lowered to 0.2 percent, which is poor compared to other major economies.