DIHK Chief Executive Helena Melnikov: "We won't get out of the doldrums with the handbrake on."
The economy as a whole continues to suffer from structural problems. There are rays of hope in individual sectors. DIHK demands: 2026 must be the year of genuine reform.
The German economy will remain stagnant in 2026. Geopolitical uncertainties, high location costs and weak domestic demand are weighing heavily on the economy.
This is the conclusion of the economic survey conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) at the beginning of 2026, which reflects the mood of around 26,000 companies from all sectors and regions. "The growing global economy and increased government spending, for example on security and defence, are giving individual sectors a slight boost. However, this is not having a sufficient impact across the board," explains DIHK Chief Executive Helena Melnikov. "This is particularly worrying at a time when the global economy is undergoing fundamental restructuring. International competition is becoming fiercer. We must therefore make a much greater effort to maintain our position."