Umfrage: Firmenchefs werden erstmals seit Jahren optimistischer

A recent survey by KPMG found that German business leaders are more optimistic about their companies' prospects for the next three years than they have been in years. In the survey, 86% of managers expect growth in the next three years, a 14 percentage point increase from the previous year. This optimism was not seen in 2023 and 2024 when only 80% and 77% of managers, respectively, anticipated growth.

The survey, conducted from August 11 to September 21, polled 1,400 CEOs from major companies in 12 countries, including 125 from Germany. Nearly 70% of German business leaders anticipate a growth rate of 2.5% or more for their companies in the coming three years. This is an increase from 42% in 2025 and shows that they are more optimistic about their industry and Germany's position than they were a year ago, with the percentage increasing from 71% to 78% for their industry and from 75% to 78% for Germany.

However, the outlook for the global economy remains gloomy among business leaders, with only just over two-thirds (62%) expecting growth, down from 64% the previous year. German CEOs view the global environment with a bit more caution than their international counterparts. The optimism of business leaders is not based on hope for better conditions or benefits from global trade but rather on investments in new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Almost all (94%) expect to see a return on their AI investments within three years, and 90% expect to see a return on their AI investments or have already achieved it.

Despite the increased confidence, companies are still facing a difficult environment. The biggest risks to growth, according to German business leaders, are external factors such as regulation (30%), geopolitical instability (29%), and a weak global economy (27%).