European Firms Expect Stronger 2027 Sales Growth
Businesses surveyed across 27 countries expect demand to rise, though hiring intentions remain weak.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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Eurochambres presented its Economic Survey 2027 in Dublin, drawing on views from more than 40,000 entrepreneurs across 27 European countries. Businesses expect higher domestic and export sales in 2027 even as overall business confidence weakens.
Why it matters
Expectations for domestic and export sales have moved into positive territory for the first time in recent editions and exceed their ten-year averages, which points to stronger demand for European firms. Negative employment expectations, now in a fourth consecutive year, and pressure from energy and labour costs help explain why confidence is softening.
More than 40,000 entrepreneurs in 27 European countries were surveyed, and their sales expectations for 2027 are above the ten-year average. Employment expectations have stayed negative for four straight years, while investment expectations are improving but still sit below their historical average.
The players
Eurochambres
The association of European Chambers of Commerce, whose survey tracks business sentiment that shapes hiring, pricing and investment across member economies.
The details
Businesses report that stronger demand is lifting their outlook for both domestic and export sales in 2027. At the same time, energy costs, access to affordable raw materials, regulatory compliance costs and volatile energy prices and geopolitical instability are weighing on confidence. Labour costs and difficulty finding workers with the right skills are keeping hiring intentions negative, and smaller businesses feel these pressures most acutely.
Timeline
The survey was presented at the 'Competitive Enterprise' panel during the SME and Clusters Assembly 2026 in Dublin in early November 2026.
Business confidence is projected to weaken slightly in 2027, falling below its ten-year average.
Money Landscape
Sales expectations for 2027 sit above the ten-year averages tracked in the Eurochambres survey, while business confidence is projected to fall slightly below its own long-run level. The divergence suggests firms expect demand to strengthen even as cost pressures and uncertainty dampen their overall outlook.
If you run or work for a small or mid-sized European business, the survey signals that demand is improving but that energy and labour costs remain a drag on hiring and investment plans. Households may see the effect as steady demand paired with cautious hiring, so planning for slower job-market momentum in 2027 is worth considering.
The takeaway
Strong sales expectations alongside weak hiring suggest businesses are growing carefully rather than expanding payrolls. Track the next Eurochambres survey to see whether the ten-year sales averages hold and whether employment expectations turn positive.
Further reading
For broader context on the trends behind these business outlooks, explore our coverage of Economic Indicators.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cyprus Mail.
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