# German craft sector economic trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-craft-sector-economic-trends > Updated: 2026-10-26T00:51:58.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Reports from various regional chambers of crafts indicate varying levels of growth and recovery across Germany. In the Reutlingen district, the number of registered businesses increased by 83 establishments by mid-2026, driven by new entries in non-regulated trades such as photography and building cleaning. This period also saw the recognition of 77 apprentices in regional championships, with officials noting increased female participation in traditionally male-dominated technical trades. In southern Thuringia, the business climate index rose to 60 points in the third quarter of 2026, signaling an upward trend following previous stagnation. Improvements were observed in construction, services, and food trades, with average order backlogs increasing to eight weeks. Similarly, in Saxony-Anhalt, the number of master craftsman graduates rose to 151, with automotive technology and electrical engineering being the most prominent fields. Regional leaders have emphasized the need for new talent to address demographic challenges. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: German craft sector shows signs of economic recovery Economic indicators for German craft businesses show signs of recovery in southern Thuringia, while Saxony-Anhalt reports an increase in master craftsman graduates. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-craft-sector-shows-signs-of-economic-recovery ### 2026-10-08: Handwerkskammer Reutlingen reports business growth and craft winners The Handwerkskammer Reutlingen reports growth in regional craft businesses and celebrates 77 winners of the 2026 German Craft Skills championships. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/handwerkskammer-reutlingen-reports-business-growth-and-craft-winners --- Cite as: German craft sector economic trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-craft-sector-economic-trends