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German economy grows by 0.3% in Q1, driven by exports

By Thomson Reuters May 22, 2026 | 1:12 AM

By Maria Martinez

BERLIN, May 22 (Reuters) – The German economy grew ​by 0.3% in ‌the first quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, the ‌statistics ​office said ⁠on Friday, confirming ⁠its preliminary reading.

Exports rose considerably at the start of the ​year, helping Germany’s economic performance, said ⁠Ruth Brand, ⁠president of the ​statistics office.

Total exports of ​goods and services rose ‌by 3.3% following a decline in exports in the fourth ⁠quarter of 2025, while imports only increased by 0.1% ⁠quarter-on-quarter.

Government ‌spending increased ⁠by 1.1%, while ​household ‌spending stagnated.

Investment declined ​by 1.5% ⁠in the first quarter.

(Reporting by Maria Martinez, Writing by Friederike Heine, editing by Ludwig ​Burger)