ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Economic Optimism Increases

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany has increased for the second consecutive time in December 2015. Gaining 5.7 points compared to the previous month, the index now stands at 16.1 points (long-term average: 24.7 points).

"While the large influx of refugees is above all a major challenge facing policy-makers and civil society in Germany, the economic slowdown in emerging markets is exerting pressure on the German export industry. Overall, however, confidence is growing that the German economy is sufficiently robust to meet these challenges in the coming year," says ZEW President Professor Clemens Fuest.

The assessment of the current economic situation in Germany is largely unchanged. Slightly increasing by 0.6 points, the index now stands at 55.0 points.

Financial market experts' sentiment concerning the economic development of the Eurozone has improved. ZEW's Indicator of Economic Sentiment for the Eurozone has increased by 5.6 points to a reading of 33.9 points. Gaining 0.4 points in December 2015, the indicator for the current situation in the euro area has climbed to a value of minus 9.6 points.

For more information please contact

Dominik Rehse, Phone +49(0)621/1235-378, E-mail rehse@zew.de

Jesper Riedler, Phone +49(0)621/1235-379, E-mail riedler@zew.de

More information and studies on the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment and the release dates 2016 (as PDF file, 28 KB).