Investment trends show slowing capital growth in Germany and networking focus in Austria

Economic reports from Germany and Austria highlight shifting trends in corporate investment and business engagement. In Germany, a study by the Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) based on a March 2026 survey of 964 companies indicates that the capital stock is losing momentum. Growth in the capital stock has slowed significantly, dropping from an average of 2.7 percent annually in the 1990s to less than 1 percent over the last six years. A major factor is the increasing rate of asset depreciation; nearly 75 percent of current gross investments are now required simply to replace existing assets rather than expanding the capital stock.

In Austria, the Wirtschaftskammer Österreich reports that 31 percent of companies are currently planning new investments. Amidst these economic shifts, there is a continued emphasis on professional networking. The Round Table Konferenzhotels (RTK) summer festival in Oberwaltersdorf recently set a visitor record with over 400 guests, signaling that despite the rise of digital communication, personal exchange remains a critical tool for businesses to identify market impulses and establish long-term partnerships.