According to their own statements, nearly half (48.4 percent) of self-employed individuals in April reported having too few orders, down from 50.6 percent in January. This percentage is significantly higher than the overall economy (37.3 percent), as reported by the Munich-based Ifo Institute on Tuesday. “The weak order situation remains a serious problem” said Ifo expert Katrin Demmelhuber. “The reason could be the trade dispute with the USA.” The uncertainty among the self-employed has increased: Those surveyed by the institute are increasingly finding it difficult to predict their business development. The balance rose to the highest level in over a year in April. The business climate for the self-employed and small businesses has clearly deteriorated. The Jimdo-ifo Business Climate Index fell from -15.8 points in March to -23.8 in April. On the one hand, current transactions were more frequently rated negatively and on the other hand, the skepticism of the self-employed in assessing future development has noticeably increased. Since August 2021, the Munich-based Ifo Institute has calculated the Jimdo-ifo Business Climate Index for sole proprietors and small businesses (with fewer than nine employees). Like the overall index, all sectors are represented, with a focus on the services sector.
Almost Half of Self-Employed Face Challenges
