France sees unexpected economic growth / France and Germany Lead Euro Zone to Higher Growth

The French economy saw a 0.3% growth in the fourth quarter of 2013, the French statistics agency INSEE reported in February 2014, citing increased household consumption and investment. As a result the overall French economic growth for 2013 was 0.3%, better than predicted and meaning that France was formally out of recession.

The euro zone grew slightly faster than expected in the last three months of 2013, an official report showed on the 14 February 2014. Germany and France, the two largest euro zone members, led the upturn, the Netherlands broke out of recession, and the pace of growth picked up modestly in Portugal, Spain and Italy.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 14.02.14: French economy avoids recession with 0.3% quarterly growth http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26185159

INSEE: Press Release, 14.02.14: French GDP increased by 0.3% in Q4 and over the year http://www.insee.fr/en/themes/info-rapide.asp?id=26&date=20140214

European Commission: Economic and Financial Affairs: EU economic situation: Economies of the Member States: France http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu/countries/france_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 14.02.14: Eurozone recovery reported in fourth quarter, led by Germany and France http://dw.de/p/1B8Tn

The New York Times, 14.02.14: France and Germany Lead Euro Zone to Higher Growth http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/15/business/international/france-and-germany-add-to-signs-of-recovery-in-euro-zone.html

ESO: Background information: Unemployment marks the divide between France and Germany http://www.europeansources.info/record/unemployment-marks-the-divide-between-france-and-germany/

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