At this year’s European Banking Congress in Frankfurt am Main, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel issued an emphatic plea for reforms for Europe’s future. Against the backdrop of mounting geopolitical tensions, a challenging global trade environment and demographic change, Mr Nagel urged for a clear European strategy to safeguard productivity and welfare over the long term.

Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €16.1 billion in December 2025, up €1.9 billion on the previous month’s level. Although the surplus in the goods account decreased, the surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, increased more strongly.

German economic output rose significantly in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Monthly Report. Growth towards the end of the year was primarily driven by private and government consumption. Households probably also benefited from strong wage growth. Industry grew its production and construction output rose significantly. According to the experts, there is no sign of any short-term trend reversal for the better in the labour market. The inflation rate stood at around 2 % at the turn of the year.

One of the Bundesbank's tasks is to collect monetary, financial and external sector statistical data, comprehensive sets of indicators and seasonally adjusted business statistics. For macroeconomic analysis relevant data are then fed into the macroeconomic time series published in the time series databases.