German ifo Institute lowers 2019 growth forecast for Germany from 1.1% to 0.6%. Though, 2020 growth forecast is revised up from 1.6% to 1.8%.
Timo Wollmershaeuser, Head of ifo Business Cycle Analysis and Forecasts said: “The current production difficulties in German manufacturing are likely to be overcome only gradually. The industry will largely fail to act as an economic engine in 2019. Global demand for German products is weak, as the international economy continues to lose momentum.
But he emphasized that “domestic driving forces are still intact”. Number of people employed should continue to rise even though pace is slowing. Unemployment rate is expected to fall from 5.2% to 4.7-4.9%. Also, Wollmershaeuser added: “This year, strong wage increases, a low inflation rate, reductions in taxes and social security contributions as well as an expansion of public transfers should result in a large increase in real incomes of households. This will bolster private consumption and the construction industry.”
