These data were reported on May 22 by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). They confirmed the preliminary estimate published on April 30, the Turkish Anadolu Agency noted.
“After the slight increase recorded at the end of 2025, the German economy also started 2026 in positive territory,” Destatis President Ruth Brand said. – Exports in particular grew significantly at the beginning of the year, contributing to Germany’s improved economic performance.”
Exports of goods and services rose by 3.3% quarter-on-quarter, offsetting the decline seen in the fourth quarter of 2025. Chemicals, pharmaceuticals and metals contributed to the growth.
Imports, meanwhile, rose 0.1% quarter-on-quarter.
Final consumer spending rose 0.4%, helped by a 1.1% increase in government spending, while household consumption was unchanged from the previous quarter.
Gross capital investment fell by 1.5%, with investment in machinery and equipment down 1.2% and investment in construction down 2.5%, partly due to cold weather in January and February.
On an annualized basis, GDP grew by 0.4%, exceeding preliminary forecasts of 0.3%.
Employment fell sharply, with about 45.6 million people employed in Germany in the first quarter, down 157,000, or 0.3%, from a year earlier.
