German economy grows 8.2% in Q3 on coronavirus reprieve

The German economy grew by 8.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2020 as the country enjoyed a period of relief from virus restrictions, official data showed Friday.

Federal statistics agency Destatis said the growth, coming after a historic slump in the second quarter, was based on "higher final consumption expenditure of households, higher capital formation in machinery and equipment and a sharp increase in exports".

Overall, the German government expects the economy to shrink by 5.5 per cent in 2020, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said.