A customer at a supermarket in Düsseldorf, Germany. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Gross domestic product increased by 0.3% quarter-on-quarter for a 0.5% year-on-year rise, compared with market expectations that both would expand by 0.2%. The fourth quarter GDP figure was also revised down to a negative 0.1% from a previous 0%, meaning that the euro zone was in a technical recession in the second half of 2023.

The German economy has shown a marginal upturn in the first part of the year. The latest figures give some hope that Germany may be escaping the economic doldrums. Europe's largest economy expanded 0.2% in the first quarter of 2024, reversing a slump at the end of last year, according to Germany's Federal Statistical Office Destatis on Tuesday. Output rose by 0.2% from January to March, Destatis said, adding the latest increase reflected an improvement in both the construction industry and exports. However, household consumption fell in the quarter.