Germany’s trade surplus widened in September to a record high in a development that underlines criticism that Europe’s largest economy is not importing enough to boost other economies on the continent.

Inflation in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has hit its lowest rate in nearly three years, largely on the back of a fall in fuel costs.

German exports began the year strongly with a 1.4% rise in January over the previous month, official figures show.

Europe's financial woes deepened today as its two largest economies reported faltering economies.

Exports from Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, were sharply lower in November compared with the previous month amid economic weakness elsewhere on the Continent.

France’s economy narrowly avoided recession, growing slightly in the third quarter, according to official statistics.

Germany’s economy grew 0.3% in the second quarter, despite the eurozone’s woes.

Germany’s economy slipped into reverse in the last quarter of 2011, with gross domestic product falling 0.2%, according to adjusted figures.

The German economy grew by a solid 0.5% during the third quarter, largely thanks to higher consumer spending, official figures showed today.

The German economy grew by a powerful 3.6% last year, surging ahead at its fastest pace since unification two decades ago.

The German economy shrank by 2.1% in last year’s fourth quarter compared with the previous three-month period, government figures showed today.

New government data show that the German economy is officially in recession.