Economy
Economic and financial news and information from Germany.
Mideast war plunges German industry into crisis
Germany's energy-hungry industries are sounding the alarm about the devastating impacts of the Middle East war as companies battle problems from surging power costs to snarled supply chains.
Mideast war to brake Germany's economic recovery
The surge in energy prices triggered by the Middle East war will slow the struggling German economy's recovery, an economic institute warned Thursday.
Foreign workers increasing in all sectors in Germany as boomers retire
The number of Germans in employment is steadily falling as older workers retire. This makes foreign workers, including both skilled workers and working asylum seekers, increasingly important to the country's economy and social systems.
Inflation to hit eurozone as war in the Middle East disrupts energy flows
In the Middle East energy exports to Europe have been disrupted by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran that has spilled into surrounding regions. Economic experts are predicting a spike in inflation.
German inflation unexpectedly slows in February
German inflation unexpectedly slowed in February, official data showed Friday, bolstering expectations that the European Central Bank will keep interest rates on hold for some time.
India expected to overtake Germany as world's third-largest economy
Despite downturns and stagnation, Germany remains the world's third largest economy for the third year running, according to a new study. But India is expected to jump ahead by the end of the decade.
Is Germany really planning to let more asylum seekers enter the workforce?
A proposal to let asylum seekers enter the German job market sooner has been welcomed by many lawmakers and economists, but critics warn that key exemptions and recent cuts to integration courses could undermine the effort.
German business morale sees biggest rise in nearly a year
German business morale posted its biggest rise in almost a year in February, data showed Monday, boosting hopes that Europe's top economy could be emerging from the worst of its slump.
Trump tariffs ruling a 'strong signal' for trade rules, says German business
A US Supreme Court ruling that sweeping tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump are illegal is a "strong signal for the rules-based trading system", German industry group BDI said Friday.
'German economy will not take off in 2026,' says chamber of commerce
Germany's economy is unlikely to rebound in 2026 as geopolitical uncertainty, high costs and weak domestic demand weigh on growth, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) said Tuesday.
Which major German companies are cutting jobs this year?
In recent months a number of Germany's largest companies have announced major job cuts affecting tens of thousands of workers. Here's a roundup of the businesses where workers will be affected in 2026.
'China shock': Germany struggles as key market turns business rival
China was long a lucrative market for Germany Inc, but the Asian giant's rise in high-tech fields has put the heat on Europe's industrial powerhouse and its companies, big and small.
German exports to US plunge as tariffs take toll
German exports to the United States plunged in 2025 amid President Donald Trump's tariff blitz, driving down the trade surplus of Europe's top economy with the crucial US market to a four-year low, data showed Friday.
German economy picks up pace even as unemployment spikes
Europe's largest economy grew more than expected at the end of last year, but this is likely not cause for celebration among three million unemployed workers in Germany as major companies continue with widespread job cuts.
German business morale stays low in January
German business sentiment held steady at a low level in January, a survey showed Monday, with firms still pessimistic about any sustained recovery in Europe's biggest economy.
German public spending rose slower than hoped in 2025
German public spending rose more slowly than expected last year despite significant outlays for defence and infrastructure, the finance ministry said Friday, vowing to pick up the pace this year.
Trump tariff threat 'poison' for Germany's recovering economy
US President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat against Europe over Greenland has hit its top economy Germany just as hopes are growing for a modest recovery after years of stagnation.
European leaders denounce Trump's tariff threats over Greenland
European leaders on Sunday hit back at US President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs over their opposition to his designs on Greenland, with far-right Italian leader Giorgia Meloni urging Washington against making a "mistake".
EU to ink long-awaited trade deal with South American bloc
The European Union will on Saturday sign a deal 25 years in the making with the South American trade bloc Mercosur, creating one of the world's largest free trade areas at a time of growing protectionism and volatility.
Where most jobs are expected to be cut in Germany in 2026
A third of companies in Germany are planning to cut jobs next year according to a new study, but some parts of the country, and certain sectors, are bucking the trend and offering brighter prospects for jobseekers.
German economy grew 0.2 percent in 2025
Europe's largest economy reversed its downward trajectory last year after two years of recession, with growth driven by household and government spending.
German fashion retailer Zalando closes eastern site with 2,700 staff
German online fashion retailer Zalando said Thursday it would close a distribution centre in the eastern city of Erfurt with 2,700 employees to restructure its European logistics network.
Boom in defence spending lifts German factory orders
Factory orders in long-struggling Germany unexpectedly posted a sharp jump in November, boosted by higher demand for defence equipment as Europe rushes to rearm, official data showed Thursday.