According to provisional data by the Federal Statistical Office, turnover generated by handicraft businesses in the year 2008 in Germany was up by 4.4% on that generated in 2007. At the same time the number of craftsmen fell by 0.9 %. From this growth benefited all kinds of handicraft businesses the operation of which is subject to permission by public authorities. Turnover grew most in the building and construction trade (+6.6 %). Growth in turnover was smallest in the field of motor vehicles with just 0.3 %.
Employment increased only in those handicraft businesses receiving orders from industry (+2.8 %), whereas employment fell in all the other six lines of handycraft businesses. The reduction in personnel was biggest in handicraft businesses working for private customers (-3.5 %). 