Preliminary data released Tuesday by the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) indicate a slight contraction in Germany’s service sector in May 2025. Calendar- and seasonally-adjusted real turnover in the sector decreased by 0.5 percent, while nominal turnover declined by 0.4 percent compared to April 2025.
When compared to May 2024, the calendar- and seasonally-adjusted real turnover registered a decline of 0.3 percent, contrasting with a nominal increase of 1.9 percent.
Within the sector, performance varied considerably. The segment of freelance, scientific and technical services demonstrated the most substantial real turnover growth compared to the previous month, with a rise of 1.3 percent. The information and communication sector also saw an increase, albeit smaller, at 0.5 percent.
Conversely, real turnover experienced a downturn in the real estate and housing sector and in the transport and warehousing sector, decreasing by 1.2 percent and 1.3 percent respectively. The largest real turnover decline relative to April 2025 was observed in other business services – encompassing activities such as the rental of movable goods and labor recruitment – where turnover fell by 1.7 percent.