News

In this interview, KOF directors Jan-Egbert Sturm and Hans Gersbach look back on 2024, analyse the state of the global economy and discuss the major challenges in 2025.

The KOF Business Situation Indicator for the Swiss private sector showed a noticeably positive trend in May for the first time this year. Even though the business situation is currently much less favorable than at the beginning of the year. Business expectations for the coming six months are more confident than in the previous month. Despite the smouldering trade conflicts, Swiss companies breathed a sigh of relief in May.

After the 2024/25 winter season recorded an all-time high, summer is also likely to see a slight increase. KOF’s latest forecast for Swiss tourism expects the number of overnight stays to rise by 0.7 per cent to a total of 21 million. Guests from overseas markets in particular will contribute to this trend. The high level of overnight stays is likely to be maintained and even increase slightly (up 0.5 per cent) during the coming winter season.

The AIECE Association of European Economic Research Institutes expects weak global economic growth due to trade disputes and geopolitical conflicts. The economists recommend that EU member states invest more in sustainability, digital infrastructure, and strategic sectors.

The KOF Business Situation Indicator for the Swiss private sector fell in March for the first time this year. Firms’ business forecasts for the coming half-year cooled for the second month in a row. The headwinds facing the Swiss economy are increasing.