Germany Zew Economic Sentiment Index

Last Release

Dec 31, 2025

Actual

45.8

Units In

N/A

38.5

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Jan 20, 2026

Time to Release

1 Months 2 Days 9 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
89.6 Jan 2000	-63.9 Jul 2008	21.29	1991-2025	Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW)

In Germany, the ZEW Economic Sentiment Index measures the level of optimism that analysts have about the expected economic developments over the next 6 months. The survey covers up to 350 financial and economic analysts. The index is constructed as the difference between the percentage share of analysts that are optimistic and the percentage of analysts that are pessimistic about the development of the economy. Therefore, the ZEW indicator measures the confidence on a scale of -100 (all analysts expect the economy to deteriorate) up to 100 (all analysts expect it to improve). A 0 value indicates neutrality.

Latest Updates

Germany’s ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment rose sharply to 45.8 in December 2025, the highest in five months, compared to 38.5 in November and well above forecasts of 38.5. Improvements were seen in the auto sector (+7.7 to -22) and in other export-oriented sectors, including the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and metal production. “xpectations have become more positive. After three years of economic stagnation, chances for a recovery of the economy are good and this is reflected in the sentiment. The expansive fiscal policy will provide new momentum to the German economy. However, the recovery remains fragile. Measures for dealing with persistent trade conflicts, geopolitical tensions and the absence of investments are likely to figure on the reform agenda for 2026 as well”, according to ZEW President Prof. Achim Wambach. On the other hand, the current conditions gauge worsened to -81, the lowest since May, from -78.7 in April and compared to forecasts of -80.