Germany news: Economy shows surprise growth despite Iran war
Key takeaways
- Germany's economy is growing more than expected, against a backdrop of rising energy costs and uncertain export markets.
- 04/30/2026April 30, 2026Germany economy grows 0.3% in first quarterGermany's economy expanded by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, continuing a faster-than-expected recovery.
- Data from the Federal Statistics Office shows growth was driven by higher private and government spending, as well as rising exports.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Germany's economy is growing more than expected, against a backdrop of rising energy costs and uncertain export markets. Meanwhile, VW reports a sharp drop in profits, as pressures mount on the carmaker. DW has more.
https://p.dw.com/p/5D2v HGermany recorded growth in its first quarter despite flagship car manufacturer VW recording major losses Image: Jens Schlueter/AFPAdvertisement Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know The German economy grew more than expected in the first quarter Volkswagen reports a sharp profit decline at the start of the year amid weaker sales and industry headwinds Net profit fell 28.4% year-on-year amid geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, stricter regulations and intense competition German growth data show minimal expansion Here is a roundup of the top headlines from and about Germany on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
04/30/2026April 30, 2026Germany economy grows 0.3% in first quarterGermany's economy expanded by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, continuing a faster-than-expected recovery.