Handwerksbericht: Das Handwerk kommt besser durch die Corona-Krise als die Gesamtwirtschaft
Since the middle of the last decade, sales in the German skilled trades sector have risen more strongly than those of the economy as a whole. This was once again the case in 2020, with the skilled crafts sector increasing its nominal sales by 1.3% despite the restrictions imposed in the wake of the Corona crisis. Real sales also rose by 0.9%, while the real production value of the economy as a whole fell by 4.6%. However, the individual craft trade groups were affected to very different degrees by the measures to combat the pandemic. For 2021, it appears that the skilled crafts sector will increase its nominal sales by around 3%, similar to the overall economy. However, real sales in the skilled trades will lag behind, as prices for skilled trades services will rise by an average of 7.5%, which is higher than the inflation rate of 3.2%. In 2022, the improving economic situation is expected to lead to an increase in nominal craft sales of at least 5%. Prices for craft services are also likely to continue to rise, but the upward price trend will weaken again as material bottlenecks ease.
Dehio, J. (2021), Handwerksbericht: Das Handwerk kommt besser durch die Corona-Krise als die Gesamtwirtschaft. RWI Konjunkturberichte, 72, 4, 51-70