German economy entered recession in first quarter

The German economy contracted in the first quarter of 2023 compared with the previous three months, thereby entering recession, data from the statistics office showed yesterday.

Gross domestic product fell by 0.3 per cent for the quarter when adjusted for price and calendar effects, a second estimate showed. This follows a decline of 0.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022. A recession is commonly defined as two successive quarters of contraction.

The first estimate had shown GDP stagnating in the first quarter and Germany skirting a recession.

Year-on-year, GDP fell by 0.5 per cent when adjusted for price and calendar effects.

"Under the weight of immense inflation, the German consumer has fallen to his knees, dragging the entire economy down with him," Andreas Scheuerle, an analyst at Dekabank, said.

Household consumption was down 1.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter after price, seasonal and calendar adjustments. Government spending also decreased significantly by 4.9 per cent on the quarter.

"The warm winter weather, a rebound in industrial activity, helped by the Chinese reopening, and an easing of supply chain frictions, were not enough to get the economy out of the recessionary danger zone," ING'S global head of macro Carsten Brzeski said.

By contrast, investment was up in the first three months of the year, following a weak second half of 2022. Investment in machinery and equipment increased by 3.2 per cent compared with the previous quarter, while investment in construction went up 3.9 per cent on quarter.

There were also positive contributions from trade. Exports rose 0.4 per cent, while imports fell 0.9 per cent.

"The massive rise in energy prices took its toll in the winter half-year," Commerzbank's chief economist Joerg Kraemer said.