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German exports to Britain fell by around 7% since Brexit, IW study shows - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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German exports to Britain fell by around 7% since Brexit, IW study shows

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 19, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: June 19, 2026

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German Exports to Britain Down 7% Since Brexit, IW Study Reveals Economic Impact

IW Study Highlights Brexit's Effect on German-British Trade

By Maria Martinez

German Export Decline to Britain Since 2016

BERLIN, June 19 (Reuters) - German exports to Britain fell by around 7% since 2016, according to figures from the German Economic Institute (IW), underscoring the economic costs of Brexit.

Comparison with Broader EU Export Trends

In an analysis prepared for Reuters, IW researchers said the decline contrasted sharply with Germany's broader export performance in Europe: over the same period from 2016 to 2025, exports to the rest of the EU rose by 41%.

Pre-Brexit German-British Trade Growth

Before Britain's referendum on EU membership in 2016, German-British trade had been expanding strongly and German exports to Britain rose by almost 38% between 2006 and 2015, outpacing a roughly 20% increase in exports to other EU member states.

Economic Consequences and Future Outlook

IW Researchers' Perspective

The IW researchers said Brexit had proved economically damaging for both sides, and argued it would be in Germany's interest if Britain reversed course or rejoined the European single market.

(Reporting by Maria Martinez; Editing by Alex Richardson)

Key Takeaways

  • Since the 2016 Brexit referendum, German exports to the UK fell by approximately 7%, while exports to other EU countries increased by about 41% between 2016 and 2025 (investing.com).
  • Prior to Brexit, from 2006 to 2015, German exports to Britain expanded almost 38%, outpacing growth to other EU members (~20%) (ifo.de).
  • Analysts at IW argue Brexit has inflicted economic damage on both Germany and the UK, and suggest German interests would benefit if the UK reversed course or re‑joined the single market (ifo.de).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

How much have German exports to Britain fallen since Brexit?
German exports to Britain have fallen by around 7% since 2016, according to the German Economic Institute (IW).
How do German exports to Britain compare to exports to the rest of the EU?
While exports to Britain fell by 7% since 2016, German exports to the rest of the EU rose by 41% over the same period.
What was the trend in German-British trade before the Brexit referendum?
From 2006 to 2015, German exports to Britain rose by almost 38%, outpacing the 20% growth to other EU member states.
What does the IW study say about the economic effects of Brexit?
The IW study notes that Brexit has been economically damaging for both Britain and Germany.
What solution do IW researchers suggest regarding future UK-EU trade relations?
IW researchers suggest it would benefit Germany if Britain reversed Brexit or rejoined the European single market.

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