More than half of Germany's medium-sized companies expect an economic downturn next year, according to a survey by the BVMW business association.
Christoph Ahlhaus, the association's chief executive, said on Saturday that "superficial reforms are no longer enough to get Germany back on track."
He said businesses expect the federal government to finally deliver on long-promised structural reforms and concrete relief measures in areas such as bureaucracy, the labour market, taxation and energy costs.
According to the survey, 54% of companies expect an economic slowdown, while only 22% anticipate an upswing. In addition, 42% of respondents said they plan to scale back investment in 2026, the association said.
Medium-sized companies, known as the Mittelstand, form the backbone of Germany's economy and account for a large share of employment and investment.
The German economy contracted in 2023 and 2024, while growth is forecast to be minimal this year and no meaningful recovery is expected in 2026.
The BVMW surveyed more than 1,000 Mittelstand companies in an online poll conducted between December 18 and 23.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson to reprise their roles for new 'Hunger Games' movie 'Sunrise on the Reaping' - 2Zelensky sees new Russian attack threat from Belarus
- 3Solid Propensities: Little Changes for a Superior Life
- 4Lower-cost space missions like NASA's ESCAPADE are starting to deliver exciting science – but at a price in risk and trade‑offs
- 5Social Skylines d: A Survey of \Inside and out Social Experiences\ Language Learning Book
- IDF says up to 90% of Iran’s weapons industry could be hit within days
- NI economy losing momentum due to Iran crisis
- Flu season is just beginning, but doctors are already on high alert
- FDA adds strongest warning to Sarepta gene therapy linked to 2 patient deaths
- 74 suicide warnings and 243 mentions of hanging: What ChatGPT said to a suicidal teen
- Guinea-Bissau's coup called a 'sham' by West African political figures
- When fake data is a good thing – how synthetic data trains AI to solve real problems
- Trump signs bill allowing whole milk to return to school lunches
- Must-See Attractions in Washington, D.C.
