The majority of German companies anticipate a further downturn in the economy. According to a survey conducted by Forsa for the Federal Association of German Employers’ Associations (BDA), 63 percent expect the economic situation to worsen over the next six months, information that was reportedly obtained by “Bild am Sonntag”.
These expectations mark a significant decline when compared to the BDA survey conducted in November 2025. Only six percent of businesses anticipate improvement, while the 63 percent projection shows an increase of 11 percentage points regarding anticipated deterioration. Furthermore, 29 percent expect no change.
The construction sector appears to be the most pessimistic, whereas the hospitality industry is forecasting a dip less frequently. Overall, companies continue to identify regulations and bureaucratic requirements as their most significant burden, with 83 percent citing this issue.
Regarding their own economic standing, 62 percent of companies still rate their situation as good or very good, down from 67 percent in the previous year. However, the percentage rating their situation as less good or poor rose to 37 percent, up from 33 percent the year before.
Discontent with the federal government remains at a low level. Satisfaction has dropped from 21 percent last year to 19 percent. A substantial 78 percent of respondents are either dissatisfied or not at all satisfied, compared to 77 percent in the previous year. Furthermore, only 10 percent of companies expressed satisfaction with the policies concerning the economy and the labor market.
Rainer Dulger, Chairman of the employers’ associations, told “Bild am Sonntag” calling entrepreneurs “optimists-but not dreamers”. He stated that the economy has been awaiting genuine growth impulses for almost a year. Observing that 63 percent expect a worsening situation, he described this as an “alarm signal that politicians must not ignore”. Dulger added, “We are at a crossroads: either there is a major reform package now-or Germany will continue to decline”.
The opinion research institute Forsa surveyed 1,001 private businesses in Germany with at least ten employees for its “Employers’ Barometer”. The survey period ran from February 23 to March 20, 2026.