17 Aug 2011

German growth slows

10:37 am on 17 August 2011

Growth in the German economy slowed sharply between April and June and was weaker at the start of the year than previously thought.

According to figures from Destatis, the national statistics office, the economy grew by 0.1% in the quarter.

Growth in the eurozone as a whole also slowed. Germany has been driving the economic recovery in the eurozone.

In addition to the weak second-quarter growth figure, the BBC reports the estimate for German economic growth in the first quarter of the year was revised down to 1.3% from a previous estimate of 1.5%.

Destatis said that while exports grew during the second quarter, a sharp rise in imports ''had an altogether negative impact on economic growth''.

It said a fall in household spending also contributed to the drop in growth.