Labor market policy

News




Press release February 6, 2019

Still good labor market development leads to further decline in shadow economy in 2019 (in German).

In 2019, the size of the shadow economy in Germany will decrease by around EUR 5 billion. The ratio of the shadow economy to official GDP will thus fall to just over 9 percent. The main reason for this is the continuing good labor market situation, which so far has not been affected by the weaker growth outlook. In addition, lower taxes for the small self-employed make it more worthwhile to register a business.



Publications

Jonah Gasparro, Jan Simon Wiemann Analysis of the IAB Business Panel Baden-Württemberg, IAW Brief Report 1/2026


Andreas Koch, Marcel Reiner, Tobias Scheu, u.a. Research project commissioned by the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection (SMWA), April 2025.


Cordula Dittmer, Matthias Fauth, Andreas Koch, u.a. BBSR-Forschungsprojekt – AZ 10.05.07-24.6 Final report, March 2026.


Tobias Scheu, Jochen Späth, Lena Walser A gender-specific analysis based on the IAB Establishment Panel, IAW Brief Report 5/2025.