Germany’s economic momentum strengthened in the second quarter of 2026, with gross domestic product (GDP) growth rising to 0.9% year-over-year, up from 0.4% in the first quarter of 2026. The latest data, updated on 30 July 2026, point to a gradual but notable acceleration in Europe’s largest economy.
The improvement marks more than a doubling in the annual growth rate between the first and second quarters, signaling that underlying activity is gaining traction after a period of subdued expansion. On a year-over-year basis, the second-quarter reading compares the economy’s performance with the same quarter a year earlier, while the earlier 0.4% figure reflected the same type of comparison for the first quarter.
Although the pace of growth remains moderate, the upward shift in the year-over-year GDP rate may offer cautious optimism for policymakers and investors watching for signs of a firmer recovery in Germany through 2026.
