Sentiment among German financial experts regarding the country’s current economic situation deteriorated further in May 2026, according to the latest ZEW Current Conditions index. The indicator fell to -77.8 in May from -73.7 in April 2026, underscoring persistent pessimism about the state of Europe’s largest economy.
The renewed decline suggests that experts continue to view prevailing business conditions as clearly unfavorable, with no visible turnaround yet in the short term. The data, updated on 12 May 2026, add to concerns that Germany’s economy may be struggling to gain momentum after a period of sustained weakness, as assessments of the current situation slide deeper into negative territory.