The article analyses the plausibility of figures estimating the volume and the development of the shadow economy and of illicit work in Germany. The projections have been published since many years. They constituted a main basis for political decisions to fight against illegal underground activities. The German government created in 2004 a special task force (‘Financial Control Illicit Work’). However, as critical analysis of the scientifically used methods and statistical material shows, that the shadow economy seems to be overestimated considerably. The methods used are not totally appropriate to calculate the volume of these activities sufficiently correctly; they are partly based on doubtful assumptions. (Original text only available in german language)
