Economic performance is due to increased exports, said the president of the German statistical institute
Germany’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grew 0.3% in the 1st quarter of 2026 compared to the 4th quarter of 2025, according to data released this Friday (May 22, 2026) by , the country’s statistical institute.
“Exports increased considerably at the beginning of the year, contributing to Germany’s economic performance”said Ruth Brand, president of Destatis.
Total exports of goods and services increased by 3.3%, after a decline in the 4th quarter of 2025. Increased exports of chemical and pharmaceutical products and metals, for example, contributed to the positive development at the beginning of the year. Imports increased just 0.1% compared to the previous quarter.
German government final consumption expenditure increased by 1.1%, while household spending remained stagnant.
Investment fell by 1.5% in the 1st quarter of 2026. Gross fixed capital formation in machinery and equipment fell by 1.2%, which is due to lower general government fixed capital formation in this sector.
The drop in gross fixed capital formation in construction was even more pronounced, at -2.5%. According to the Destatis report, this result is mainly due to adverse weather conditions in January and February, which slowed down the progress of works.
GDP in the 1st quarter of 2026 showed an increase of 0.5%, adjusted for inflation, compared to the 1st quarter of 2025.
Germany’s economic performance at the beginning of 2026 was slightly above the European average. In the 1st quarter of this year, the economic performance of the EU (European Union) as a whole increased by 0.2% compared to the previous quarter, slightly below Germany’s 0.3% growth.
The highest GDP growth among other EU Member States was recorded in Spain (+0.6%). Economic performance also showed growth in Italy (+0.2%), but stagnated in France.
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