Germany: economy

How big is Germany's economy?

Germany's gross domestic product was €4,529.7 billion at current prices in 2025, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) table of important economic indicators (as at 30 September 2026). That compares with €4,386.9 billion in 2024 and €4,254.9 billion in 2023. After adjusting for prices, output grew 0.2% in 2025, following no growth in 2024 and a 1.0% fall in 2023.

The nominal figure is the value of all goods and services produced in Germany, before inflation is taken out; the price-adjusted change is the one usually called economic growth. Destatis revises recent years as more source data arrive, so figures for 2024 and 2025 can still change.

Official sources: Destatis: important economic indicators

What is Germany's GDP per person?

GDP per head in Germany was €54,240 in 2025, up from €52,528 in 2024 and €51,088 in 2023, according to the Destatis table of important economic indicators. The table uses a population of about 83.5 million, based on current population statistics benchmarked to the 2022 census.

The figure is in current prices and euros, so it rises with inflation as well as with real output. For comparisons between countries, international bodies convert GDP per head at purchasing power parities, which adjust for price levels; those figures will differ from the Destatis euro value. The same table shows price-adjusted labour productivity per person in employment rose 0.4% in 2025.

Official sources: Destatis: important economic indicators

Who are Germany's biggest trading partners?

China was Germany's largest trading partner in 2025 when exports and imports are added together, with trade of €251.8 billion, just ahead of the United States (€240.5 billion) and the Netherlands (€209.1 billion), according to the Destatis ranking of Germany's trading partners for 2025 (preliminary results, 20 February 2026). The United States was the largest buyer of German exports (€146.2 billion), and China the largest source of imports (€170.6 billion).

The ranking also lists balances: Germany's largest export surplus was with the United States (€51.9 billion). Destatis updates the ranking when final annual data are published, and monthly partner figures appear in each foreign trade press release.

Official sources: Destatis: order of rank of Germany's trading partners 2025 (PDF) · Destatis: foreign trade

How much does Germany export?

German goods exports were €137.6 billion in August 2026 after calendar and seasonal adjustment, 0.8% less than in July but 6.2% more than in August 2025, according to Destatis press release No. 356 of 8 October 2026. Imports were €118.1 billion, leaving a trade surplus of €19.5 billion. Exports to the United States were €13.5 billion that month.

For a full year, the Destatis foreign trade page gives exports of €1,564 billion and imports of €1,362 billion, a surplus of €202 billion. Monthly figures are provisional and are revised; the adjusted series is the one to use for month-on-month comparisons, while unadjusted values are better for comparing with the same month a year earlier.

Official sources: Destatis: exports in August 2026 · Destatis: foreign trade

How is German industrial production doing?

Production in Germany's production industries rose 2.0% in August 2026 from July after calendar and seasonal adjustment, to an index of 92.3 (2021 = 100), according to the Destatis production index table. The unadjusted index was 3.0% higher than in August 2025. The adjusted index has moved between about 90.5 and 92.3 since December 2025.

Production industries cover manufacturing, energy and construction. Because the base year is 2021, a value below 100 means output is lower than in 2021. Destatis notes that the short-term indicator pages stop being updated from calendar week 43 of 2026; the series continues in the GENESIS-Online database and the economic dashboard.

Official sources: Destatis: production index in production industries

Does Germany have a current account surplus?

Germany's current account showed a surplus of €21.2 billion in July 2026, €2.3 billion more than in June, according to the Deutsche Bundesbank's balance of payments page (press release of 11 September 2026). The Bundesbank said the rise came mainly from a larger surplus on goods, while the surplus on services and primary and secondary income fell.

The current account adds trade in goods and services to cross-border income such as dividends, interest and transfers. The Bundesbank publishes it monthly and also by partner country: it reports that the euro area is Germany's most important partner, with the highest revenues earned with the United States and the highest expenditures with China.

Official sources: Deutsche Bundesbank: balance of payments

How fast is Germany's economy growing?

In 2025, real GDP growth in Germany was 0.2%, according to the World Bank. The peak was 4.1% in 2010 and the low -5.5% in 2009. It is 48th highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 2.1%. Worldwide: 168th of 180.

How rich is Germany per person?

According to the World Bank, GDP per person in Germany was $60,496 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: $28,420; Germany is 11th highest of 49. Worldwide: 15th of 180.

What is Germany's GDP per capita at PPP?

According to the World Bank, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Germany was $75,407 in international dollars in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 10th highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $50,946 in international dollars. World rank, highest first: 15th of 179.

What share of Germany's economy is exports?

The World Bank puts exports of goods and services in Germany at 40.4% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 45.6% of GDP; its low point was 2009, at 35.5% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 47.7% of GDP, and Germany placed 30th highest of 46. Worldwide: 56th of 133.

What is Germany's current account balance?

4.4% of GDP: that is the current account balance in Germany for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 4.1% of GDP (2022) to 8.9% of GDP (2016). It is 10th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is -0.3% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 26th of 132.

How much foreign investment does Germany receive?

In 2025, net inflows of foreign direct investment in Germany was 1.9% of GDP, according to the IMF. The peak was 4.5% of GDP in 2020 and the low 0.4% of GDP in 2014. It is 25th highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 1.9% of GDP. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 95th highest.