The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), a prominent German economic research institute, has significantly revised its economic forecast for the country in the upcoming year. Stefan Kooths from the IfW cited “headwinds” for the German economy both domestically and internationally, stating that the economy in Germany is facing challenges.
The institute now expects a meager growth of only 0.1% for this year, a significant decrease from their previous forecast of 1.3% growth in 2024. However, their forecast for next year remains relatively unchanged at 1.4%. The German economy experienced a decline of 0.3% in 2023, with productivity stagnating.
Private consumption in Germany is not as robust as expected, and exports have declined despite a global economic upturn. The construction industry is also facing difficulties. While there may be some signs of recovery in the spring, the overall momentum is expected to be weak.
Moreover, the IfW sees ongoing “political uncertainty” dampening companies’ investment activities. The German government’s challenges in finalizing a growth package, with differing opinions from Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Economy Minister Robert Habeck, are contributing to this uncertainty.
However, experts predict that inflation rates, which have been high since mid-last year, are expected to decrease, with consumer prices projected to rise by 2.3% this year and 1.8% next year.
The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce has expressed concerns about the country’s economic outlook, citing high energy costs, a shortage of skilled labor
