调查：德国经济复苏乏力 企业信心持续低迷

Economic Outlook - The DIHK's economic survey indicates that despite government reforms, there are no signs of recovery in the German economy, with business confidence remaining low [1] - The survey, covering approximately 23,000 companies, predicts stagnation for 2023 and only a slight growth of 0.7% in 2024, which is significantly lower than most economists' forecasts [1] - The German economy is expected to experience two consecutive years of recession, with a slight growth anticipated in 2025 and a potential growth rate exceeding 1% in 2026 [1] Business Investment Sentiment - The DIHK economic climate index has decreased by 1 point to 93.8, indicating a persistently pessimistic outlook [1] - Only 15% of surveyed companies expect economic conditions to improve in the next 12 months, while a quarter anticipate worsening conditions [1] - Investment intentions remain low, with only one-fifth of companies planning to increase investments and one-third intending to cut back on investments [1] Labor Market Conditions - The labor market is facing challenges, with only 10% of companies planning to hire more employees, while 25% are considering layoffs [2] - A significant 56% of companies identify labor costs as a major operational risk, influenced by rising social insurance contributions and recent minimum wage increases [2] - The DIHK CEO emphasizes the need for the government to accelerate efforts to reduce burdens on businesses to restore confidence [2]