The rise in entrepreneur confidence is due to entrepreneurs being less negative about the development and expectation of the economic climate. Entrepreneur confidence is above the average (-3.7) since 2012 and at the highest level since early 2022. However, the figure is still slightly negative.
Entrepreneur confidence rose in nine sectors and fell in three. In the car trade and repair sector, confidence rose the most and turned from negative to positive. Also, in retail and construction, the figure became positive. Entrepreneurs in information and communication are the most positive. In agriculture, forestry and fisheries, hospitality and transport and storage, entrepreneur confidence fell and entrepreneurs are also the most negative.
Almost all companies (94 percent) indicate they face higher costs. 82 percent of entrepreneurs state that personnel costs were one of the (two) main causes, 29 percent say that of the costs of raw materials and materials. Entrepreneurs mention costs for energy, transport and logistics, and housing costs relatively little.
Half of the companies say they can hardly or not at all pass on these cost increases to their customers. This was also the case in January 2023 and 2024. In rental and trade of real estate and agriculture, forestry and fisheries, entrepreneurs can least often pass on cost increases. Slightly less than half (46 percent) can do this largely or fully. Entrepreneurs in construction can usually pass on higher costs. Also, in transport and storage, car trade and repair and business services, this applies to more than half of the entrepreneurs.
Like last year, more than two-thirds of companies indicate they were profitable last year. Over 12 percent made a loss. Slightly more than 13 percent made no significant profit or loss and the remaining 7 percent do not know yet.
In wholesale and trade mediation, the share of profitable companies in 2025 is highest, at 77 percent. In culture, sports and recreation, this is lowest at 50 percent. In rental and trade of real estate, the share of companies that made a loss is lowest (0.5 percent), in transport and storage (24 percent) it is highest. Compared to last year, the share of profitable companies in retail increased the most, from 48 percent to 63 percent. In hospitality and transport and storage, this decreased the most.
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