Methods and Applications of the IW Business Survey
Michael Grömling IW-Report No. 5 23. February 2018 Methods and Applications of the IW Business Survey
Surveys of businesses provide important data for an analysis of economic development. In addition to the statistical offices in the respective states, private sector institutions such as research institutes or associations provide a diverse range of economic data.
Surveys of businesses provide important data for an analysis of economic development. In addition to the statistical offices in the respective states, private sector institutions such as research institutes or associations provide a diverse range of economic data.
The following article presents the business survey conducted by the German Economic Institute (Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft, IW). It provides comprehensive information on the current situation and the outlook of German companies and serves as an important basis for the half-year economic forecast by the German Economic Institute (Grömling, 2005).
The German Economic Institute has been asking eastern German companies about their current business situation and their economic outlook since 1992 (see Beyfuß/Lichtblau, 2002). The former, so-called East Survey (Ost-Umfrage) was conducted 21 times in total by the IW's central office in Berlin. Roughly 500 eastern German companies took part in each case, and the response rate was extraordinarily high at an average of just under 50 per cent.
In 2024, the German economy has stagnated, performing at a level that has barely changed since 2019. Its foreign trade is suffering from geopolitical conflicts and the resulting slowdown in the global economy.
Michael Grömling / Stefanie Seele IW-Report No. 27 21. May 2024
Determinants of personnel planning in Germany
The German labor market has been growing since 2005. The dip in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic between 2020 and 2022 is an exception, as the German labor market has reached a record level of 45.9 million people in employment by 2023.
Michael Grömling / Stefanie Seele IW
Content element with id 8880 Content element with id 9713
IW-Newsletter
Subscribe to our monthly newsletters to receive updates on the latest IW publications.
This website uses necessary cookies to ensure the operation of the website. An analysis of user behavior by third parties does not take place. You can find detailed information about the use of cookies in our privacy policy.
Warning: You are using an outdated browser!
Please switch to a modern browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge) in order to enjoy the best user experience.
German Economic Institute (IW) 
