The Ifo World Economic Climate Indicator continued to rise, even if only slightly. Both assessments of the current economic situation and the six-month economic outlook improved marginally compared to the previous quarter. There are a growing number of signs that the world economy is stabilizing.

Conducted in co-operation with the International Chamber of Commerce, the Ifo World Economic Survey assesses worldwide economic trends by polling transnational and national organizations worldwide on current economic developments in their respective countries. Its results offer a rapid, up-to-date assessment of the economic situation prevailing around the world. In April 2013, 1,178 economic experts in 125 countries were polled.

While the economic climate indicator rose only slightly in Western Europe and North America, it increased sharply in Asia. Thanks to much brighter assessments of the economic situation and expectations, the indicator for Asia reached its highest mark since the end of 2010. In North America, assessments of the current economic situation are somewhat better, but remain below the satisfactory mark.

Read more on the ICC website.

Staff contacts: Jonathan Huneke