German economy falls into recession

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

Europe’s biggest economy recorded negative growth for a second consecutive quarter in the third quarter.

The Federal Statistical Office said today that gross domestic product contracted by 0.5% in the July-September period compared with the previous quarter.

The economy contracted by 0.4% in the second quarter – its first decline since late 2004.

A technical recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth.