In addition to the regularly recurring questions on enterprise metrics, expectations and access to loans, the Bundesbank frequently asks enterprises questions on various current issues. A selection of the results is presented here.

Time taken to find new staff for firms’ most important occupational group

In the fourth quarter of 2025, firms were asked how much time it would take, on average, to find new staff for their most important occupational group. An average of 17 weeks was expected. A sector-by-sector analysis showed that the longest expected search period for new staff at construction firms was 21 weeks, whereas in the transport and storage sector, a search period of just 14 weeks was estimated.

Assessment of current uncertainty level

In the fourth quarter, too, firms were asked to assess the current level of uncertainty with regard to their business environment. Using a scale of 1 (very high) to 5 (very low), the chart shows the share of firms that entered values of 1 or 2. The average for all firms was 52 %. Across sectors, manufacturing accounts for the highest share of firms with high uncertainty, at 64 %, followed by wholesale and retail trade, at 59 %.