The Free Professions, which number around 1.48 million self-employed and 6.2 million employees, look a bit more optimistic at the economic development than last time. This is evident from the winter economic survey of the Federal Association of Free Professions (BFB), which was reported by the newspapers of the Funke Media Group (Friday editions).
According to the survey, around 41 percent of the interviewed free professionals rate their current business situation as good, around 44 percent as satisfactory, and around 16 percent as poor. A year ago, still around 18 percent had complained about a poor business situation. The prospects are particularly poor in the free cultural professions and the free health professions. On the other hand, the situation is assessed as good for free professionals in the fields of law, tax, and economic consulting.
Furthermore, around seven percent fewer free professionals expect to have to reduce staff in the future, compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, still around 20 percent of the interviewed free professionals said they expect to have fewer employees in their company in the next two years. Two-thirds expect the number of employees to remain the same, and 12 percent expect an increase in staff.
The Institute for Free Professions (IFB) surveyed 1,800 free professionals from September 26 to October 27 for the survey.