The number of self-employed persons in the legal, accounting, head office, and management consultancy sectors in Germany is forecasted to steadily increase from 333,000 in 2024 to 344,000 by 2028. This gradual growth represents a yearly average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 0.8%. The year-on-year growth from 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 is approximately 0.9%, stabilizing at around 0.6% thereafter. As of 2023, the number stood at roughly 330,000, establishing a progressive trend towards more self-employment within these sectors.

Future trends to watch for include:

The impact of digital transformation and technology adoption on consultancy and legal services.
Potential regulatory changes, especially within legal and accounting practices, as these could influence the market landscape for self-employed professionals.
Evolving client needs, which may drive a demand for specialized expertise in areas such as sustainability consulting and cybersecurity advisory.