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Image: Sven Hoppe/picture alliance/dpaImage: Sven Hoppe/picture alliance/dpa

German economy

The Germany economy is highly advanced and the largest in Europe. On a global scale it is the third biggest. Its top five exports are vehicles, machinery, chemical goods, electronic products and electrical equipment.

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All Content on this topic

An empty office in Germany showing tables and chairs

An empty office in Germany showing tables and chairs

German firms tested 4-day workweek — here's the outcome

German firms ended a test run of a 4-day workweek with promising results. But can they be applied across the economy?

Multiple container ships are docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder at Hamburg Port

Multiple container ships are docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder at Hamburg Port

No recession, but little relief, for German economy

It seems like nothing but bad news these days for the German economy. Does new economic data offer some good news?

The entrance of the VW plant in Chemnitz showing a banner with a car, the outlines of people and a pulse curve.

The entrance of the VW plant in Chemnitz showing a banner with a car, the outlines of people and a pulse curve.

How the VW crisis is a failure of Germany's car policy

Europe's biggest carmaker is in the midst of a severe sales and cost crisis. Is this actually just a sign of the times?

Euro bills

Euro bills

Germany narrowly avoids recession with slight Q3 growth

The country narrowly avoided entering a recession following decreasing industrial orders.

DW Sendung "To the point" | Totale

DW Sendung "To the point" | Totale

Is the German economy going down the drain?

Germany’s ecomomy keeps shrinking – is the Scholz government part of the problem?

The Port of Hamburg, a key seaport for trade in Germany

The Port of Hamburg, a key seaport for trade in Germany

German exports to US reach new high as election looms

Germany is exporting its highest level of goods to the US in decades, but upcoming elections could halt this trend.

Banknotes in a wallet

Banknotes in a wallet

German inflation dips to lowest in more than 3 years

The inflation rate for September in Germany has fallen to its lowest level in more than three years.

A young female executive looking at a computer screen, a dismayed look on her face

A young female executive looking at a computer screen, a dismayed look on her face

Wanted in Germany: Heirs for family-owned businesses

As the patriarchs of family businesses retire, top positions are left vacant. The reason goes beyond a lack of interest.

A group of protesters holding banners and flags

A group of protesters holding banners and flags

Germany sees surprising resurgence of trade unions

The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) is turning 75 and it has reason to celebrate.

The banking tower of Commerzbank in Frankfurt

The banking tower of Commerzbank in Frankfurt

Germany's prolonged recession makes firms takeover targets

As more and more companies struggle in the downturn, they are becoming the focus of merger and acquisition specialists.

A VW ID.3 model is being manufactured at the company's plant in Zwickau in eastern Germany

A VW ID.3 model is being manufactured at the company's plant in Zwickau in eastern Germany

Can Germany's economy benefit from China's stimulus plan?

China's economic slowdown has led to lower demand for German goods and dampened growth prospects.

IFA production hall

IFA production hall

Germany reckons with another recession in 2024 — report

The German government expects the economy to shrink again in 2024 and has slashed its forecasts, a leading daily says.

An election campaign billboard of the AfD party showing a Germany flag and the slogan Germany first

An election campaign billboard of the AfD party showing a Germany flag and the slogan Germany first

Far-right gains in east Germany could deal blow to economy

The far-right AfD has again made gains in a vote in eastern Germany, stirring worries about the region's economy.

A rendering shows early plans for two new Intel processor factories in Magdeburg, Germany as announced in March 2022

A rendering shows early plans for two new Intel processor factories in Magdeburg, Germany as announced in March 2022

US Intel's factory delay adds to Germany's economic woes

As Intel postpones building a factory in Germany, questions arise if Berlin is still committed to the project.

An illustration showing the German flag and German car manufacturing moving toward China

An illustration showing the German flag and German car manufacturing moving toward China

What Volkswagen's woes say about Germany's economic future

Job cuts and plant closures at Germany's largest carmaker are a symptom of a wider malaise in Europe's largest economy.

Pedestrians walk by a glass-fronted shop in Chemnitz which has closing down posters on the doors and windows

Pedestrians walk by a glass-fronted shop in Chemnitz which has closing down posters on the doors and windows

German businesses worried about far-right gains in the east

The success of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in state elections has raised concerns among business leaders.

Columns of figures seen white on a black screen

Columns of figures seen white on a black screen

Chinese cyberattacks hit nearly half of German firms, study

Acts of industrial sabotage have done huge damage to the German economy this year alone, a news study shows.

A woman stands in from of the new Mercedes G-Klasse vehicle at an autoshow in Beijing, China, on April 25, 2024

A woman stands in from of the new Mercedes G-Klasse vehicle at an autoshow in Beijing, China, on April 25, 2024

German firms ignore calls to shrink China investments

China continues to be a critical trade partner for Europe's largest economy, so how to get the balance right?

Scene in VW factory

Scene in VW factory

German industrial orders fall amid sluggish foreign trade

The latest German economic statistics have once more brought little good news for manufacturers.

Federal Employment Agency (BA) in a job-fair

Federal Employment Agency (BA) in a job-fair

Germany's unemployment rises as economic growth stalls

The number of jobless in Germany came in at over 2 million people in July, coming amid sluggish economic growth.

Energy and shipping infrastructure in Hamburg

Energy and shipping infrastructure in Hamburg

German economy contracts unexpectedly in second quarter

The news dampens prospects of a recovery in Europe's largest economy.

A picture of three foreign workers on a construction site in Germany

A picture of three foreign workers on a construction site in Germany

EU countries offering tax relief to foreign skilled workers

Faced with a labor shortage, Germany plans tax rebates for foreign workers. The policy is controversial, but not new.

Finance Minister Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck

Finance Minister Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck

Germany's coalition agrees on a budget for 2025

Germany's Cabinet has agreed on a draft budget for 2025, including policies to counter recent weak growth.

A photo showing a 5G mobile data center in Frankfurt, Germany, belonging to network operator Vodafone

A photo showing a 5G mobile data center in Frankfurt, Germany, belonging to network operator Vodafone

Why Chinese technology set off alarm bells in Germany

Even as Germany seeks to restrict Huawei and ZTE, some are looking to work with Chinese firms in other critical areas.

Many cars parked at the Bremerhaven auto terminal, from where they would be shipped

Many cars parked at the Bremerhaven auto terminal, from where they would be shipped

Would a Trump presidency hurt German firms?

The former president likes to slap massive tariffs on the foreign products that he thinks are a threat to US businesses

Armin Papperger seen surrounded by security officers

Armin Papperger seen surrounded by security officers

Russia assassination plan: Why is Rheinmetall a target?

Unnamed sources have claimed Russia had planned to assassinate a leading arms manufacturing executive in Germany.

A factory worker checking a filter system

A factory worker checking a filter system

Germany mulls new tax rebates for skilled foreign workers

The German government wants to grant skilled foreign workers tax relief if they take up employment in Germany.

A worker runs his hand over the body of an ID.3 electric car at the Volkswagen factory

A worker runs his hand over the body of an ID.3 electric car at the Volkswagen factory

German industrial orders decline amid weak foreign demand

The fifth consecutive decline in factory orders points to "subdued" industrial activity in the coming months.

A Nigerien soldier drinks water from a water pipe in Niamey, Niger

A Nigerien soldier drinks water from a water pipe in Niamey, Niger

Sahel: Navigating Germany's development cooperation

Grassroots groups and German partners are seeking renewed cooperation amid the military juntas in Africa's Sahel region.

China | Besuch Wirtschaftsminister Habeck in Peking

China | Besuch Wirtschaftsminister Habeck in Peking

Germany's Habeck navigates delicate China mission

Trade tensions between the EU and Beijing overshadow the German vice-chancellor's first trip to China and South Korea.

A "Final Sale" sign written in English, outside a German supermarket belonging to the KaDeWe group that filed for bankruptcy

A "Final Sale" sign written in English, outside a German supermarket belonging to the KaDeWe group that filed for bankruptcy

Germany sees company bankruptcies soar

A tough financial climate impacted by global events is believed to have irreparably damaged many firms.

Container ships near a German Bight

Container ships near a German Bight

German exports gather pace, boosting recovery hopes

Germany's export market appears to be on the mend, with shipments out of the country once again showing monthly growth.

Berlin | Beginn 75. Ordentlicher Bundesparteitag der FDP

Berlin | Beginn 75. Ordentlicher Bundesparteitag der FDP

Germany faces challenge as 2025 tax forecast sinks

Finance Minister Christian Lindner said it was clear that the public sector would have to tighten its belt.

Billboards showing CDU and SPD election posters

Billboards showing CDU and SPD election posters

EU election: Immigration top concern in Germany

Polls for the European Parliament elections will close on June 9. German voters are showing little interest.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere at the Siemens booth during the 2024 Hanover Messe where artificial intelligence was a key topic

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere at the Siemens booth during the 2024 Hanover Messe where artificial intelligence was a key topic

AI: Why German firms are lagging behind

One survey suggests 40% of German companies have no plans to implement artificial intelligence into their processes.

Cell fuel stacks on display

Cell fuel stacks on display

Germany's energy transition: Can a new hydrogen scheme help?

Can Germany fuel the country's ambitious push for hydrogen and avoid raising fresh debt at the same time?

Robot production line at a BMW plant

Robot production line at a BMW plant

Germany's economy shows slight upturn, raising hopes

The latest figures give some hope that Germany may be escaping the economic doldrums.

Crowded street in shopping area of Munich, Germany

Crowded street in shopping area of Munich, Germany

German consumer confidence hits two-year high

Consumer confidence rose for the third month in a row in Europe's largest economy, according to market research.

A welder at a German company

A welder at a German company

Germany tops list of non-English-speaking job destinations

Many foreigners are eager to work in Germany, but few people in Germany are looking to leave the country for a job.

Production line Volkswagen plant in Zwickau

Production line Volkswagen plant in Zwickau

Germany's industrial production expected to sink further

Germany's usually strong manufacturing sector had already taken a hit because of higher energy prices.

IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas

IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas

IMF cuts growth outlook for Germany

The International Monetary Fund has revised down its growth outlook for the eurozone's biggest economy.

A BMW factory in Dingolfing, Bavaria, Germany pictured on July 21, 2023

A BMW factory in Dingolfing, Bavaria, Germany pictured on July 21, 2023

Third of German firms skeptical about 2024 — survey

Interest rates, sluggish global growth and wars in Ukraine and Gaza have all led to a negative outlook, a survey found.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits a Chinese research project

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits a Chinese research project

Germany-China talks: Chancellor Olaf Scholz's juggling act

The German chancellor will need to balance economic interests against political issues during his talks with Xi Jinping.

A shopping trolley full of food with a receipt

A shopping trolley full of food with a receipt

German food and energy prices fall, inflation sinks to 2.2%

Food prices fell for the first time in more than 9 years, with energy costs dropping even more.

An aerial photo of the container terminals Eurogat and Burchardkai in the Port of Hamburg

An aerial photo of the container terminals Eurogat and Burchardkai in the Port of Hamburg

German ports to receive security and competitiveness boost

Growing threats and lagging competitiveness have prompted Germany to start work on a national port strategy.

A passenger looks on as multiple flights are cancelled from the schedule

A passenger looks on as multiple flights are cancelled from the schedule

German airports reach agreement to end strike action

Airport operators in Germany have reached an agreement with security staff after a series of major strikes.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni waves to supporters

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni waves to supporters

Will Italy replace Germany as Europe's economic powerhouse?

Italy is experiencing continued economic growth. Are Giorgia Meloni's policies finally pushing the country ahead?

A man inspecting the paint job on a Porsche in a light tunnel in Leipzig

A man inspecting the paint job on a Porsche in a light tunnel in Leipzig

German car industry regains some confidence

German carmakers are seeing the future in a rosier light than last month, a leading economic institute says.

The departures board at Cologne-Bonn Airport shows a series of cancelled or diverted flights amid a security staff strike. March 14, 2024.

The departures board at Cologne-Bonn Airport shows a series of cancelled or diverted flights amid a security staff strike. March 14, 2024.

German economic institutes cut 2024 growth forecast to 0.1%

A combined report from leading economic think tanks in Germany has revised 2024 growth forecasts from 1.2% down to 0.1%.

Olaf Scholz and others gathered as they press the button on the groundbreaking

Olaf Scholz and others gathered as they press the button on the groundbreaking

Northvolt launches electric car battery plant in Germany

Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the project as a model for Germany and Europe's industrial futures.