The Ifo Institute for Economic Research, officially the ifo Institute – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich (e.V.), is a Munich-based research institution. Ifo is an acronym from Information and Forschung (research). As one of Germany's largest economic think-tanks, it analyses economic policy and is known for its monthly Ifo Business Climate Index for Germany. According to its 2024 report, 244 employees work for the organisation.[1] The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung ranks it as Germany's most influential economics research institute.[2]
 | |
| Founded | 1949 |
|---|---|
| Merger of | Süddeutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung Informations- und Forschungsstelle of the Bavarian Statistical Office |
| Legal status | Registered association |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
| Location(s) | |
| Coordinates | 48°09′10″N 11°36′18″E / 48.152842°N 11.605011°E |
President | Clemens Fuest |
| Affiliations | Center for Economic Studies LMU Munich |
| Staff | 244 employees |
| Website | www.ifo.de |
Ifo Business Climate Index
editIfo's Business Climate Index is an early indicator of economic activity released monthly since 1972. The database underlying the index is a monthly survey of 9,000 companies in the construction, manufacturing, wholesale and retail industries.[3] The index is closely followed by investors, commentators and politics.[4][5]
Report on the German economy
editThe Ifo Institute participates in the twice yearly (spring and autumn) joint analysis of the state of the German and world economy, the so-called Gemeinschaftsdiagnose.[6]
References
edit- ↑ ifo Jahresbericht 2024, pages 88–91
- ↑ Patrick Bernau: Münchener Institut und Universität sind einflussreich, FAZ Fazit, 1 November 2017
- ↑ "ifo Geschäftsklimaindex gestiegen (Februar 2026) | ifo Geschäftsklima Deutschland | ifo Institut". ifo Institut (in German). 2026-02-23. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ Megaw, Nicholas. "'Euphoric': German business confidence at highest level on record – Ifo". Financial Times. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ↑ Niehaber, Michael. "Surprise rise in German business morale dispels recession fears". Reuters. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ↑ German government Website Bundeswirtschaftsministerium Online (in German) Archived 2017-11-05 at the Wayback Machine