The German economy grew by 2.2% last year, the highest level since 2011. The German Federal Statistical Office published the data to confirm that 2017 was strong for economic growth in the euro area.
Analysts had expected stronger performance, with expectations of 2.5%. High levels of consumption played a role in promoting economic growth, and investment levels were relatively high. Lower levels of unemployment also helped to increase spending.
The Office of Statistics said that the number of Germans working in 2017 was at its highest level since the unification of East and West Germany in 1990. For the fourth consecutive year the German government recorded a surplus of 38.4 billion euros, and government spending was much lower than in previous years.
