News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

German jobless numbers hit 12-year high, inflation rises

The number of unemployed people in Germany hit a 12-year high today, surpassing the 3 million ⁠mark, while inflation moved back above the European Central Bank's 2% target, clouding the outlook for Europe's largest economy after a stronger-than-expected end to 2025.

Business • 30 Jan

Germany lowers 2026 economic growth forecast to 1%

The German government has today lowered its 2026 growth forecast to 1%, conceding that efforts to kickstart Europe's beleaguered top economy with vast public spending were moving slower than hoped.

Business • 28 Jan

a German flag with a candle stick graph imposed on it

German business sentiment unchanged in January - Ifo

German business morale remained unchanged from the previous month in January, a new survey showed today.

Business • 26 Jan

German economy staying in slow lane in early 2026

The German economy ended last year with momentum building but first quarter growth is likely to be modest, with inflation stabilising at 2%, the Bundesbank said in a monthly economic report today.

Business • 22 Jan

German economy returns to growth, but headwinds fierce

Germany's economy eked out meagre growth in 2025 and dodged a third year of recession in a row, data showed today, but Europe's languishing industrial powerhouse still faces huge challenges to return to long-term health.

Business • 15 Jan

Germany factory output jumps but exports disappoint

German industrial production unexpectedly jumped in November but exports fell heavily, data showed today, offering a mixed picture for Europe's struggling top economy.

Business • 09 Jan

1 in 4 German firms expect business to deteriorate - Ifo

Around 26% of German companies expect their business to deteriorate in 2026, according to a survey published by economic institute Ifo today.

Business • 22 Dec 25

German economy stuck in slow lane, institutes say

Germany's economy has stabilised but remains stuck in a phase of meagre growth, with a planned fiscal expansion from next year set to provide limited momentum, three German economic institutes said today.

Business • 11 Dec 25

German factory orders rise more than expected

German industrial orders rose far more than expected in October, official data showed today, raising hopes that a long downturn in Europe's biggest economy may have bottomed out.

Business • 05 Dec 25

German inflation rises more than expected in November

German inflation accelerated more than expected in November, reaching the highest level since February, while the number of people out of work rose and retail sales fell.

Business • 28 Nov 25

Germany business morale falls as hopes for revival dim

German business sentiment fell more than expected in November, a survey showed today, the latest sign that industry is losing faith in the government's plans to revive the economy.

Business • 24 Nov 25

Germany faces rising financial stability risk - bank

Germany is facing rising risks to its financial stability from erratic US economic policy, overvalued equity markets, excessive debt levels around the world and souring bank credit, the Bundesbank warned today.

Business • 06 Nov 25

German exports fall unexpectedly as US tariffs hit

German exports unexpectedly fell in August on a sharp decline in US demand due to Washington's tariffs on European imports, official data showed today.

Business • 09 Oct 25

Germany likely to avoid technical recession - Bundesbank

Germany's battered economy should dodge a technical recession in the immediate future, thanks to an uptick in industrial production, the central bank said today.

Business • 18 Sep 25

Number of unemployed Germans passes 3 million mark

The number of unemployed people in Germany passed 3 million for the first time in a decade, labour office figures showed today, as the labour market of Europe's biggest economy is squeezed by two years of economic contraction.

Business • 29 Aug 25

German business sentiment at highest level in over a year

German business morale improved unexpectedly in August to its highest level in 15 months, a survey showed today, although analysts warned the economic outlook remained weak.

Business • 25 Aug 25

German economy slows 0.3% in Q2 as US tariffs hit exports

The German economy contracted by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2025 compared with the previous quarter, the statistics office said today, revising its preliminary reading of a 0.1% contraction.

Business • 22 Aug 25

German economy unexpectedly shrinks in second quarter

The German economy unexpectedly shrank in the second quarter, official data showed today, a bad sign for the euro zone's traditional powerhouse as it seeks to recover from a long downturn.

Business • 30 Jul 25

German business sentiment at highest level in a year

German business morale improved less than expected in July, a survey showed today, as companies were more satisfied with current business conditions.

Business • 25 Jul 25

German firms launch 'Made for Germany' investment scheme

Leading German companies including Siemens and Deutsche Bank today announced a major investment initiative aimed at resuscitating investor confidence in Europe's largest economy.

Business • 21 Jul 25

German investor morale rises more than expected in July

German investor morale rose more than expected in July, the ZEW economic research institute said today, reporting an increase in its economic sentiment index to 52.7 points from 47.5 points in June.

Business • 15 Jul 25

German inflation eases to 2% in June, defying forecasts

German inflation eased in June, preliminary data from the federal statistics office showed today, despite forecasts suggesting a slight increase in price pressures in Europe's largest economy.

Business • 30 Jun 25

German economy set to grow by 0.3% in 2025, DIW Berlin

The German economy is expected to grow by 0.3% this year following two consecutive years of contraction, the economic institute DIW Berlin said today, the fifth institute to raise its forecasts for 2025 and 2026.

Business • 13 Jun 25

The German economy grew by 0.4% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the previous quarter, better than a preliminary reading of 0.2%

German Q1 GDP upgraded as orders rush to beat tariffs

The German economy grew significantly more in the first quarter than previously estimated due to good economic developments in March, according to a second estimate published today.

Business • 23 May 25

The tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump are expected to deal a major blow to Germany's export-oriented economy

German economic advisory panel forecasts 2025 stagnation

The German Council of Economic Experts has cut its economic forecast for the German economy, now expecting Europe's biggest economy to stagnate this year as it sees a "pronounced phase of weakness".

Business • 21 May 25

German Economy