2009 German economy worse since WWII

Germany's economy will dip lower in 2009 than at any time since World War II, the government predicted today.

The government forecasts a 2.25 percent downturn much lower than the previous prediction of 0.2% growth, made in October.

Exports will drop by a predicted 8.9% this year and the jobless rate would climb to an average of 8.4% in 2009, from 7.8% in 2008.

"The German economy is facing this year the greatest challenges since unification [in 1990]. Germany is integrated into the global economy like hardly any other industrialised country," said Germany's economy minister Michael Glos.

BBC News

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