Germany’s economy, the largest in Europe, contracted for the second year in a row in 2024, official data showed Wednesday, underscoring the challenges facing the region as it tries to get economic growth back on track.

The German economy shrank for the second straight year in 2024 as worried consumers held back on spending and Chinese competition ate into the country’s traditional exports of cars and industrial machinery.

Germany's economy shrunk for a second consecutive year in 2024, continuing its struggle with internal and external challenges.

Germany’s economy contracted for a second straight year in 2024, underlining the scale of the challenge that will face a new government after elections due in February, including the possibility of fresh tariffs on its exports to the U.

Germany’s economy shrank for a second consecutive year in 2024 and is unlikely to grow much in 2025, laying bare the challenge for the country’s new government once snap elections are held in February.