The German Statistical Office (Destatis) has reported a 2.8 percent increase in the prices of services in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The prices of services in the transportation and warehousing sector, in particular, rose by 3.7 percent, driven by increased energy costs and higher wages due to the shortage of skilled workers.
The prices of services in the information and communication sector also saw a moderate increase of 1.5 percent, with the steepest price rises in the IT sector, where software and software licenses rose by 2.8 percent, IT consulting and support by 2.4 percent and data processing and hosting services by 1.8 percent. The main reason for these price increases was the rise in wages in the IT sector in response to the shortage of skilled workers.
In the real estate and housing sector, prices rose by 2.3 percent, with the steepest price rise in the category of property management and administration, which increased by 4 percent. The main reasons for these price increases were the general increase in costs and contractually agreed price increases, linked to the development of specific price indices.
The prices of services in the free, scientific and technical sector also saw a significant increase of 2.3 percent, with the steepest price rises in the categories of technical, physical and chemical testing, which rose by 4.5 percent and legal consulting, which rose by 3.4 percent. The main reason for these price increases was the rise in costs, particularly for personnel, due to the shortage of skilled workers in these sectors.
Finally, the prices of administrative and support services rose by 3.8 percent, with the steepest price rise in the category of temporary labor, which rose by 5 percent. The main reasons for these price increases were the general increase in costs, particularly for administration, training and the high demand for skilled workers, leading to rising wage demands from employees.