Press release No. N 017 of 6 April 2020

WIESBADEN – Reliable statistical information is particularly important in times of crisis as it provides a realistic picture of an otherwise unclear and confusing situation. To show the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) is presenting the short-term economic indicators which are essential for assessing the impact of the crisis in concise form on its “coronavirus statistics“ (only in german) webpage. The content of this special Destatis webpage released on 6 April 2020 will be continuously updated and extended. It also offers information that businesses need when they apply for direct assistance in the coronavirus crisis.

Dr. Georg Thiel: “Enabling fact-based decisions on the way out of the crisis“

“There will be a strong focus on the short-term indicators of the real economy in the weeks and months to come,” says Dr. Georg Thiel, President of the Federal Statistical Office. “Forecasts are important. However, they are less reliable in crises than in stable situations. Our figures will show how serious an impact the coronavirus pandemic really has on the economy and society. They enable fact-based decisions on the way out of the crisis,” Thiel continues. “Our special webpage presents that information in a concise and clearly structured digital form.”

It contains major economic core indicators relating, for instance, to production in industry and to foreign and domestic trade. Infographics with context information show the development of the indices from the global financial and economic crisis of 2008 and 2009 to the latest reference month for which results are available. More statistics will be provided on the consequences for society. There also is a list of the press releases published by the Federal Statistical Office on the coronavirus crisis.

Information required to apply for direct assistance in the coronavirus crisis

The present situation is particularly difficult for many businesses and self-employed persons, or even an existential threat. To them the government is offering direct assistance in the coronavirus crisis. When the assistance is applied for, the relevant economic branches have to be entered as codes of the Classification of Economic Activities in many cases. Our special page helps businesses and self-employed people with these codes. There also is information on electronic reporting channels for transmitting data to the official statistics agencies for businesses, public authorities and private individuals obliged to report data.

Release dates of important economic indicators in the week before Easter: in the week from 6 to 9 April, the Federal Statistical Office will publish press releases on the following short-term economic indicators, which will be shown on the “coronavirus statistics webpage” upon release on 8 a.m.

• Monday, 6 April 2020: index of new orders and turnover index in manufacturing
• Tuesday, 7 April 2020 production index, February 2020
• Thursday, 9 April 2020: foreign trade, February 2020
• Thursday, 9 April 2020: truck toll mileage index, March 2020

All press releases of the current calendar week are contained in the short-term release calendar. A preview with release dates of important short-term indicators for a longer period of time is provided by the annual release calendar.