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RWI Konjunkturberichte

2017

Wolfgang Dürig

Die konjunkturelle Entwicklung im Handwerk 2016

In 2016 the German craft industry benefited from the fact that economic growth was borne by domestic demand. On average, sales increased by 3%, and thus stronger than in the past five years on average. The largest growth was recorded in the automotive workshops (5.5%). The construction industry and the enterprises for building finishing realized an increase of sales growth by 2.1% and 2.9%. Growth in the other crafts groups was relatively weak. At the same time employment situation only improved by 0.1%. On one hand, this suggest that productivity increased: However, this also may indicate a lack of suitably skilled workers. For the year 2017, we expect the handicraft sector to increase its nominal turnover by 2.0 to 2.5%. Assuming a price increase of 1.8%, real growth would be between 0.2 and 0.7%. According to these conditions, employment in the handicraft industry is unlikely to be further expanded this year either. At best, the number of employees will stabilize.

Dürig, W. (2017), Die konjunkturelle Entwicklung im Handwerk 2016. RWI Konjunkturberichte, 68, 1, 93-111

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