Institute of the German Economy

German economy: mixed recovery and rising fiscal debt

30 clusters · 303 sources · last updated about 10 hours ago

Latest: Germany business confidence rises for sixth consecutive month

Germany’s economic outlook shows signs of a mixed recovery alongside persistent fiscal and inflationary concerns. While the government and the IMF have raised the 2026 GDP growth forecast to 1.3%—up from a previous 0.5%—

Germany labor market and demographic shifts

30 clusters · 185 sources · last updated about 21 hours ago

Latest: Germany faces economic risks from demographic shifts

Germany faces intensifying demographic and labor challenges. While the working-age population is projected to shrink by 4.7 percent by 2045, the skilled worker deficit is expected to nearly double from 370,000 in 2025 to

Germany pension, social welfare & care reform updates

235 clusters · 539 sources · last updated 1 day ago

Latest: Germany to launch state-subsidized retirement savings accounts in 2027

Germany continues to navigate extensive social security and pension reforms amid demographic shifts and political friction. Significant welfare changes took effect on July 1, 2026, as ‘Bürgergeld’ was replaced by a new ‘

German talent retention & skilled labour shortage

33 clusters · 115 sources · last updated 1 day ago

Latest: German regional officials address vocational training and craftsmanship

Germany continues to face a deepening skilled-labour shortage, characterized by a structural shift in the vocational market. While total dual-training contracts fell 2.8% to 461,900 in 2025, international apprenticeships

North Rhine-Westphalia regional developments

2 clusters · 9 sources · last updated 3 days ago

Latest: North Rhine-Westphalia allocates €1 million for winter cold relief

Recent developments in North Rhine-Westphalia involve both fiscal analysis and social welfare initiatives. A study by the Institute of the German Economy (IW) examined the impact of the federal fiscal equalization syste

German middle class economic status

5 clusters · 20 sources · last updated 5 days ago

Latest: Germany income levels and employment benefits analyzed

The definition and economic stability of the German middle class have come under scrutiny due to varying institutional metrics and rising living costs. Initial assessments involve multiple frameworks. The Institute of t

Germany housing crisis: Rising rents and regulatory debate

40 clusters · 166 sources · last updated 6 days ago

Latest: Germany housing market sees rise in furnished short-term rentals

The German housing crisis has intensified, evolving from a structural deficit into a widespread social and economic strain. By September 2026, the German Tenants' Association (DMB) reported that over 52 percent of the po

German income tax reform and Minijob regulatory changes

9 clusters · 55 sources · last updated 6 days ago

Latest: Germany proposes 2027 income tax reform with higher allowances

The German federal government is proceeding with an income tax reform scheduled for January 1, 2027, aiming to provide approximately 10 billion euros in annual tax relief. To ensure political acceptance, the Ministry of

Economic and income trends in Germany and South Tyrol

2 clusters · 11 sources · last updated 8 days ago

Latest: Germany economic trends: income thresholds, interest rates, and startup funding

Economic data from Germany and South Tyrol indicate complex trends regarding income distribution and wealth. In Germany, income thresholds for high earners have been established, with the top 10 percent of gross annual e

German infrastructure and mobility challenges

2 clusters · 28 sources · last updated 10 days ago

Latest: Germany faces regional rail funding crisis and housing supply challenges

Germany is facing multifaceted infrastructure and mobility challenges. In the Oberpfalz region, commuters are experiencing increased financial strain due to rising vehicle maintenance costs and a lack of frequent public

International student trends in Germany

2 clusters · 6 sources · last updated 11 days ago

Latest: Germany attracts international students with tuition-free university programs

Germany has established itself as a major destination for international students, driven largely by the availability of tuition-free education at most public universities. While students often pay semester contributions