
Inside the Conclave: 10 Fascinating Facts About the Secretive Process to Elect a New Pope
Section: Politics
The German IT and telecommunications industry is forecasting a generally positive outlook for the first quarter of the year, with many executives expecting an increase in revenues. However, there is a notable concern regarding potential job reductions, particularly in the hardware sector.
According to a recent industry report from the Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research, nearly 38% of ITK executives predict a rise in revenues for Q1 2025. Conversely, 37% anticipate stable figures, while a quarter foresee a decrease in earnings. Hardware manufacturers are adopting a less optimistic stance compared to IT service providers, with about one-third of hardware executives expecting declining revenues. Approximately 35% predict their sales will remain unchanged, indicating a more cautious outlook within this segment.
When compared to the previous quarter's assessments, these projections reflect a more reserved sentiment. In Q4 2024, almost 44% of ITK company leaders reported rising revenues, with 29% indicating stability and 28% experiencing a downturn. The hardware production sector has shown particular signs of distress, with around 36% of firms reporting decreased sales and only 22% maintaining steady revenue levels.
Job Market Outlook Diverges in ITK SectorIn terms of employment, over a quarter of ITK executives are anticipating an increase in workforce requirements, while only about 10% expect to implement layoffs. More than 60% of respondents foresee stable staffing levels. However, the situation appears different for the hardware sector, where only 20% of leaders expect to expand their teams, and over a third predict job cuts.
This shift in employment expectations contrasts with the previous quarter, during which 31% of companies hired additional staff, while less than a quarter made reductions. Approximately 45% reported no changes in their workforce. Furthermore, only 18% of hardware manufacturers posted new job openings, with nearly 40% recognizing a decline in personnel needs.
Demand for IT and Telecommunications ProductsRegarding product demand, around 37% of ITK executives expect an uptick in demand for their goods and services this quarter. Close to 42% forecast stable demand, while 22% predict a decline. Hardware manufacturers have a slightly different perspective, with almost 40% anticipating increased product demand, nearly a third expecting a downturn, and about 29% predicting no change.
These current expectations are less optimistic than those from the previous quarter, where over 40% recognized an increase in demand. Approximately one-third categorized demand as stable, while around 25% observed a decline. The hardware sector notably diverged from the broader ITK trends last quarter, with nearly 47% of hardware executives reporting a demand increase and over a third noting a decline.
The report is based on surveys conducted with approximately 1,200 executives from manufacturing and information science companies, encompassing the IT, telecommunications, media, and knowledge-intensive services sectors. A prior study by the Leibniz Centre highlighted a significant drop in new business formations within the ITK sector.
Section: Politics
Section: Health Insurance
Section: Health
Section: Health
Section: Politics
Section: News
Section: Business
Section: Science
Section: Politics
Section: News
Health Insurance in Germany is compulsory and sometimes complicated, not to mention expensive. As an expat, you are required to navigate this landscape within weeks of arriving, so check our FAQ on PKV. For our guide on resources and access to agents who can give you a competitive quote, try our PKV Cost comparison tool.
Germany is famous for its medical expertise and extensive number of hospitals and clinics. See this comprehensive directory of hospitals and clinics across the country, complete with links to their websites, addresses, contact info, and specializations/services.
Join us for an exciting evening of jazz at the EMMAUSKIRCHE on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 19:00 to 20:30. Experience fresh sounds from the talented young jazz quintet led by Anton Sigling from Harlaching. This group features award-winning musicians from the Federal Competition 'Jugend jazzt' and...
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!