In this paper, we assess the accuracy of macroeconomic forecasts at the regional level using a unique data set at quarterly frequency. We forecast gross domestic product (GDP) for two German states (Free State of Saxony and Baden-Württemberg) and Eastern Germany. We overcome the problem of a...

This study uses scenario calculations to estimate the economic costs of the partial closure of the economy due to the coronavirus epidemic. With a shutdown duration of two months, the costs reach between EUR 255 billion and EUR 495 billion, depending on the scenario, and reduce the annual growth...

This paper presents scenarios of the shutdown costs in terms of lost value added for Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and UK. The shutdown phase will lead to considerable production losses and large declines in GDP this year. Lasting longer than a month, the losses within the...

This note presents the results of two ad-hoc questions on the impact of the corona-crisis, which were included in the April-wave of the European Commission's Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business Surveys. The questions were asked to German, Spanish and Austrian firms in the industry,...

The ifo Business Climate Index is the most important early indicator for developments in the German economy. It aggregates thousands of responses from the companies surveyed in the ifo business surveys on a monthly basis. This article presents the new ifo Business Climate for Germany, which will...

Die deutsche Wirtschaft kühlt sich seit Anfang letzten Jahres spürbar ab. Allerdings ist die konjunkturelle Entwicklung gespalten. Das exportorientierte Verarbeitende Gewerbe, in dem etwa ein Viertel der Wertschöpfung erwirtschaftet wird, steckt in einer Rezession. Wirtschaftspolitiken, die...

Die Stimmung unter den deutschen Unternehmen hat sich leicht verbessert. Der ifo Geschäftsklimaindex ist im November gestiegen. Die Unternehmer waren mit ihrer aktuellen Geschäftslage minimal zufriedener. Auch ihre Erwartungen fielen weniger pessimistisch aus als noch im Vormonat. Die deutsche...