During the first quarter of 2020, the Stockholm Barometer plunged by 34 units, to 60.4 on a scale where 100 represents the historical average, the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce writes in a press release.

- Unfortunately, there is much talk that the coming quarters may be even worse. Great efforts will be required from politics and the business community in the long run to return to normal, says Stefan Westerberg, chief economist at Stockholm Chamber of Commerce in a comment.

Big tap for the hotel and restaurant industry

Has particularly tough industries in the hotel and restaurant, computer and retail trade. Both entrepreneurs and households predict that the labor market will be further weakened as a result of increased unemployment. The only industry that shows a rising curve during the first quarter is grocery shopping.

- For a long time, there have been major bottlenecks in the labor market, housing market and infrastructure that have slowed down the country. These problems are more important than ever to address in order to facilitate the recovery when the immediate crisis has subsided, says Stefan Westerberg.