PK zur Konjunkturumfrage JP 2026 mit Grafik
Policy Dossier Translated from German with AI assistance

Keeping an Eye on the Economy

The German economy risks becoming a long-term patient. Companies are struggling with high costs for energy, personnel, and taxes, combined with crippling bureaucracy. An uncertain global economic environment and bottlenecks in critical raw materials exacerbate the situation further.

With its economic survey, the DIHK provides reliable figures on the mood within companies three times a year: at the beginning of the year, in early summer, and in autumn. Based on regional surveys conducted by the 79 IHKs, it identifies how businesses across Germany are faring in terms of current business conditions, expectations, investment, and employment plans. How do they perceive the international environment, and which business risks do they deem particularly threatening? 

The regularly more than 20,000 responses come from companies of all sizes – from the industry, the construction sector, trade, and services. The data gathered offers a representative snapshot of all German companies. It is one of the foundations for the DIHK's economic policy positioning in Berlin and Brussels, representing the interests of local businesses. In this dossier we have compiled the most important economic insights from the DIHK for you.

Dashboard for the Current Economic Survey

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All data on economic sentiment in the country: In the analysis file for the DIHK Economic Survey Autumn 2026, you will find all figures from the current survey and previous ones – some data goes back to 2003. 

Numerous graphics provide an overview, while a dashboard and a sectoral comparison offer interactive visualization options. 

Here is the Excel document for download (only available in German):

Analysis File for the DIHK Economic Survey Autumn 2026 (XLSX, 593 KB)

Subscribe to the Business Survey

If you would like to receive the DIHK (German Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Business Survey by email, simply send a short, informal email to titze.sebastian@dihk.de. We will gladly add you to our mailing list.

Relevant in topic:
Key areas:
  • Economic Outlook
This English version is provided for convenience only.
It has been translated with the assistance of AI.
No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the translation.

All articles of this dossier

Helena Melnikov spricht in ein Mikrofon auf der Pressekonferenz zur Konjunkturumfrage Herbst 2026

Helena Melnikov: "The recovery must be more than a short-lived rebound"

DIHK Economic Survey Fall 2026 shows: Government money and exports give the economy a breathing space. A genuine upturn, however, requires lasting reforms.

Date of publication 05.11.2026
Läufer am Scheideweg

Economic Climate in Autumn 2026: Growth with Limited Durability

The business situation of German companies has improved due to a special economic boom driven by credit-financed government spending and exports, but expectations are cautious. Based on its Economic Survey Autumn 2026, the DIHK forecasts 1 per cent growth for both 2026 and 2027.

Date of publication 05.11.2026
Stimmungsindex statisch Konjunkturumfrage Herbst 2026

The sentiment of the German economy in autumn 2026 at a glance

How are businesses faring, and are they looking to the future with optimism or pessimism? The DIHK sentiment index visualises the current situation and outlook. With a score of 94.7, it has significantly brightened in autumn 2026 after the slump in early summer (88.1).

Mehrere Laptops auf einem Tisch mit Händen von oben, eingeblendet verschiedene statistische Grafiken

Figures and Facts

How are economic growth, employment, unemployment, and inflation evolving? The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) provides you here with the key economic indicators and forecasts as well as data on foreign trade by country.

konjunkturumfragen-chart

Regional Economic Surveys

From Aachen to Würzburg: The results of the regional IHK economic surveys are accessible here. The data collected by the IHKs at the regional level forms the basis for the nationwide economic survey conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Icon DIHK-Konjunktur Insight

DIHK Economic Insight

As part of the DIHK economic surveys, numerous industry- and size-specific figures are collected, providing interesting insights into the state of individual sectors. Here, we list the corresponding special evaluations.

Schiffe vor Hormus

German economy in a double crisis

Middle East conflict meets structural location weaknesses. As a result, the DIHK Economic Survey Early Summer 2026 shows that the mood in the German economy, which had timidly brightened at the beginning of the year, is falling again. For 2026, the DIHK anticipates growth of 0.3 percent.

Date of publication 26.05.2026
Helena Melnikov_Reaktion

"Germany is growing, but way too slowly"

DIHK Chief Executive Officer Helena Melnikov on the Annual Economic Report 2026

Date of publication 28.01.2026
Geschäftsleute in Werkhalle

Economic Trends at the Start of the Year – Recovery Remains Fragmented

The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) Economic Survey for the beginning of 2026 presents a slightly improved mood among around 26,000 companies from all industries and regions that participated in the survey. DIHK expects economic growth of merely one percent in 2026.

Date of publication 17.02.2026

Contact

Porträtfoto Dr. Jupp Zenzen

Dr. Jupp Zenzen

Director Economic Analysis, Business Surveys

Porträtfoto Sebastian Titze

Sebastian Titze

Administrative Assistant