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Recession

A recession is a period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, generally identified by a fall in GDP in two successive quarters.

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All Content on this topic

Reichstag tower with German flag against a dark cloudy sky

Reichstag tower with German flag against a dark cloudy sky

German coalition's demise hits unsettled nation

The government has collapsed at a moment when the national mood is already besieged by multiple crises.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and German Finance Minister Christian Lindner (R) during a joint press conference

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and German Finance Minister Christian Lindner (R) during a joint press conference

Germany's coalition government collapses over ailing economy

Divisions over how to save Germany's feeble economy have led to the collapse of its government.

Multiple container ships are docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder at Hamburg Port

Multiple container ships are docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder at Hamburg Port

No recession, but little relief, for German economy

It seems like nothing but bad news these days for the German economy. Does new economic data offer some good news?

The entrance of the VW plant in Chemnitz showing a banner with a car, the outlines of people and a pulse curve.

The entrance of the VW plant in Chemnitz showing a banner with a car, the outlines of people and a pulse curve.

How the VW crisis is a failure of Germany's car policy

Europe's biggest carmaker is in the midst of a severe sales and cost crisis. Is this actually just a sign of the times?

Euro bills

Euro bills

Germany narrowly avoids recession with slight Q3 growth

The country narrowly avoided entering a recession following decreasing industrial orders.

Deutschland Wirtschaft l TDI l Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (SPD, l) und Siegfried Russwurm, Präsident des BDI

Deutschland Wirtschaft l TDI l Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (SPD, l) und Siegfried Russwurm, Präsident des BDI

Scholz meets industry leaders to discuss economic crisis

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets industry leaders to tackle stalled growth and long-standing structural issues.

A Volkswagen flag in front of a dark gray cloudy sky.

A Volkswagen flag in front of a dark gray cloudy sky.

German automaker Volkswagen faces unprecedented crisis

Anger and concern among VW workers rise as potential layoffs and plant closures threaten their livelihoods.

DW Sendung "To the point" | Totale

DW Sendung "To the point" | Totale

Is the German economy going down the drain?

Germany’s ecomomy keeps shrinking – is the Scholz government part of the problem?

The banking tower of Commerzbank in Frankfurt

The banking tower of Commerzbank in Frankfurt

Germany's prolonged recession makes firms takeover targets

As more and more companies struggle in the downturn, they are becoming the focus of merger and acquisition specialists.

IFA production hall

IFA production hall

Germany reckons with another recession in 2024 — report

The German government expects the economy to shrink again in 2024 and has slashed its forecasts, a leading daily says.

Demonstrators, one displaying French flag, gather under the statue of Marianne, a symbol of the French Republic, during a protest demonstration responding to a call from the far-left party leader who criticized as a power grab the president's appointment of a new prime minister, Michel Barnier,

Demonstrators, one displaying French flag, gather under the statue of Marianne, a symbol of the French Republic, during a protest demonstration responding to a call from the far-left party leader who criticized as a power grab the president's appointment of a new prime minister, Michel Barnier,

Can France cut spending without stoking recession?

France needs to bring down public spending — but its minority government is facing headwinds.

A woman walks in front of the Nikkei building in Tokyo

A woman walks in front of the Nikkei building in Tokyo

Japan's Nikkei sees biggest tumble since 1987 crash

The Nikkei index plummeted 12.4% on Monday as global investors digest shaky economic data from the US.

Javier Milei at the GZ on June 14, 2024

Javier Milei at the GZ on June 14, 2024

Argentina: Less inflation, more poverty under Milei

With President Javier Milei arriving in Germany soon, DW looks at whether his big economic promises are materializing.

Protesters gather outside New Zealand's parliament buildings to protest policies seen as discriminatory to Indigenous Maori

Protesters gather outside New Zealand's parliament buildings to protest policies seen as discriminatory to Indigenous Maori

New Zealand: Thousands protest 'anti-Maori policies'

Thousands of people have protested the government's new budget with critics saying it comes at the expense of Maoris.

The skyline of the financial district of Canary Wharf

The skyline of the financial district of Canary Wharf

Britain's economy exits recession ahead of elections

The UK's economy grew stronger than expected at 0.6% in the first quarter of this year.

People walk past an Israeli flag, after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 14, 2024

People walk past an Israeli flag, after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 14, 2024

Israeli economy moves toward normality despite the war

The Israeli economy suffered a major contraction following October 7 but is showing signs of recovery.

DW Sendung To The Point | ToPoe, 11.04.24, TOTALE

DW Sendung To The Point | ToPoe, 11.04.24, TOTALE

US-China trade war: Which side is Germany on?

Germany and China face economic hardship. Can they help each other out despite rising tensions?

The departures board at Cologne-Bonn Airport shows a series of cancelled or diverted flights amid a security staff strike. March 14, 2024.

The departures board at Cologne-Bonn Airport shows a series of cancelled or diverted flights amid a security staff strike. March 14, 2024.

German economic institutes cut 2024 growth forecast to 0.1%

A combined report from leading economic think tanks in Germany has revised 2024 growth forecasts from 1.2% down to 0.1%.

A bull statue stands in front of the building of the German stock exchange in Frankfurt,

A bull statue stands in front of the building of the German stock exchange in Frankfurt,

Why German stock index DAX breaks record as recession looms

Confidence in Germany's 40 biggest firms has little to do with sentiment on the ground.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck holding a chart at a press conference

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck holding a chart at a press conference

Germany's recession fears: Economic outlook is grim

The German government's annual economic report is bleak. Hopes that things might pick up again in 2024 have vanished.

Liquid iron in a furnace

Liquid iron in a furnace

What's wrong with Germany's economy?

Germany has been regarded as a model country in Europe. But the economy has taken a downturn.

Cargo cranes in Hamburg with dark clouds in the background

Cargo cranes in Hamburg with dark clouds in the background

Germany slashes 2024 growth outlook

Weak global demand, geopolitical unease, and sticky inflation have hampered an anticipated recovery from recession.

Man welding iron

Man welding iron

Bleak economy, but innovation

German companies are suffering from high energy costs. But also successfully innovating.

A security checkpoint at Hamburg airport, pictured during a recent strike, where the screens indicate that entry is not possible and the departures lounge is closed.

A security checkpoint at Hamburg airport, pictured during a recent strike, where the screens indicate that entry is not possible and the departures lounge is closed.

German central bank warns of recession, citing strikes

Germany's Bundesbank cited recent strikes as a factor, but added it did not anticipate a lasting or severe recession.

People cross Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo

People cross Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo

Recession in Japan makes Germany third largest economy

Japan's economy has now contracted for two straight quarters, casting doubts on the central bank’s forecast.

A construction site in Munich

A construction site in Munich

Germany's economy shrank by 0.3% in 2023, latest data shows

Figures released by the federal statistics agency show that Germany's GDP dipped in 2023 compared to 2022.

China | Immobilien | Huai 'an City

China | Immobilien | Huai 'an City

How China's economic slowdown is rippling across Asia

China’s economic troubles has stoked fears of global contagion: Nowhere is that concern more pronounced than in Asia.

China's President Xi Jinping sitting at a table taking to US President Joe Biden in San Francisco

China's President Xi Jinping sitting at a table taking to US President Joe Biden in San Francisco

Global economy in 2024: China, Trump and the next black swan

If the last few years have taught us anything, it's to expect the unexpected when it comes to the global economy.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck placing his hands on a helmet

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck placing his hands on a helmet

German industry: Can the backbone of the economy be saved?

Europe's biggest economy is facing a recession, with high energy costs a huge burden. Will subsidized electricity help?

A public groceries market in Aix-en-Provence, France

A public groceries market in Aix-en-Provence, France

Economic growth: What France is doing better than Germany

While Germany's economy is contracting, the French GDP is growing. But France could pay a price.

An oil pump jack pumps oil next to barrels of oil painted in the Iranian flag

An oil pump jack pumps oil next to barrels of oil painted in the Iranian flag

Will the Israel-Hamas war trigger another oil crisis?

The conflict between Israel and Hamas could inflict substantial damage on the global economy.

Hundred euro bills being printed

Hundred euro bills being printed

ECB leaves interest rates unchanged as markets falter

The European Central Bank left interest rates at 4%, snapping a record streak of 10 rate hikes.

China, Made

China, Made

China: Is decline looming after the rise?

China has been growing rapidly for years. But do extreme problems now threaten to spark its decline?

Gesamt, Deutsch, Englisch, Made

Gesamt, Deutsch, Englisch, Made

Global Trade, Changing World - MADE

Is China's steep rise coming to an end? Why is Russia selling so much oil? And what do new technologies bring?

A worker runs his hand over the body of an ID.3 electric car at the Volkswagen factory on February 25, 2020 in Zwickau

A worker runs his hand over the body of an ID.3 electric car at the Volkswagen factory on February 25, 2020 in Zwickau

Germany headed for deeper recession, IMF says

Economic forecasters say Germany will suffer a worse slide in economic output than previously expected.

DW Sendung To The Point | TTPE Totale

DW Sendung To The Point | TTPE Totale

A great power in trouble: What's wrong with Germany?

With its economy and democracy under pressure, where is Germany headed?

Frankfurt skyline with dark storm clouds

Frankfurt skyline with dark storm clouds

German economy set to shrink in 2023, experts say

A new report predicts a dip in economic output this year, correcting earlier forecasts of moderate growth.

Germany's governing coalition low in polls

Germany's governing coalition low in polls

Germans pessimistic about country's economic slump

Concerns about Germany's struggling economy are causing a loss of faith in the country's traditional parties.

A view of the skyline at Amsterdam Zuid, the capital's financial and business district

A view of the skyline at Amsterdam Zuid, the capital's financial and business district

Netherlands dips into recession after strong COVID rebound

The Netherlands has hit the technical definition of a recession, suffering two quarters of contraction in a row.

Sunrise beyond the ArcelorMittal steel plant in Bremen

Sunrise beyond the ArcelorMittal steel plant in Bremen

How Germany's political leaders want to fix the economy

Germany's economy is in decline. There are conflicting ideas how the government should help fix it.

Hamburg's port and its cargo terminal with cranes and ships

Hamburg's port and its cargo terminal with cranes and ships

Germany: The return of the 'sick man' of Europe?

The multiple crises of recent years have revealed the weaknesses in the country's business model.

A person with a shopping cart at an aisle at a German grocery store packed with cheese and meat

A person with a shopping cart at an aisle at a German grocery store packed with cheese and meat

German economy stagnates in second quarter

Economists set a gloomier outlook for the coming months, as Germany's GDP stayed flat between April and June.

A Euro-sculpture and the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarter are seen January 13, 2005 in Frankfurt, Germany.

A Euro-sculpture and the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarter are seen January 13, 2005 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Eurozone inflation eases slightly, falls to 5.5% in June

Annual inflation dropped to 5.5% in the 20 eurozone countries as energy prices fell. But the cost of food remained high.

A small burlap sack of corn or maize

A small burlap sack of corn or maize

Falling commodity prices stoke fear of global recession

Not long ago inflationary fears dominated, but a drop in commodity prices has brought the specter of recession closer.

A weathered 100 euro banknote

A weathered 100 euro banknote

Eurozone dips into recession

Two consecutive quarters of contraction have placed the eurozone economy into recession.

An assortment of different brands of butter including ones from Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands

An assortment of different brands of butter including ones from Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands

Germany: Are falling butter prices a sign inflation is over?

As prices fall, German consumers are less worried when grocery shopping. Is peak inflation behind them?

Hamburger Hafen Container Terminal Burchardkai

Hamburger Hafen Container Terminal Burchardkai

Recession in Germany: What does that mean?

Germany has entered a technical recession. What constitutes an economic downturn and what does that entail?

SUV "Grandland X" production line

SUV "Grandland X" production line

German economy enters recession amid worsening outlook

Inflation has taken a heavy toll on the German economy, with consumers spending less on items such as food and clothing.

The US Treasury Department building at dusk in Washington DC

The US Treasury Department building at dusk in Washington DC

US debt ceiling: How default could affect you

As deadlock remains over the US debt ceiling, DW looks at the wider impact of a possible debt default.

Cargo loading and unloading at a Chinese port in Lianyungang

Cargo loading and unloading at a Chinese port in Lianyungang

Why China is unlikely to rescue the world economy again

Beijing's huge stimulus helped the West recover from the 2008 financial crisis. Here's why history won't repeat itself.