German economy unexpectedly grows, avoiding recession
GDP up 0.2% in Q3 from Q2, vs expected 0.1% decline
Q2 GDP revised to -0.3% from -0.1%
Jobless data worse than expected, inflation picks up
Adds economy minister in paragraphs 5-6, economist in 9, 15
By Maria Martinez
BERLIN, Oct 30 (Reuters) -Germany's gross domestic product unexpectedly increased in the third quarter, driven by government and household spending, skirting a recession amid fears that Europe's biggest economy would contract for a second consecutive quarter.
The economy expanded by 0.2% in the third quarter from the previous three months, preliminary data from the statistics office showed on Wednesday.
"Under the weight of many structural weaknesses, the economy is sending out a sign of life," said Alexander Krueger, chief economist at Hauck Aufhaeuser Lampe. "This is thanks to the consumers, who have let their guard down a little."
Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a 0.1% quarter-on-quarter GDP decrease in adjusted terms.
"This is still far from what we need, but at least it is a ray of hope," German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.
"The economy is proving more robust than previously forecast and the technical recession expected by many has failed to materialize."
A recession is normally defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction, and data from the second quarter had spurred recession fears.
The statistics office revised second quarter GDP to a 0.3% quarter-on-quarter contraction, from the 0.1% decline previously reported.
"Although a technical recession was avoided, the German economy remains barely larger than it was at the start of the pandemic," said Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING.
Economic weakness is expected to stay as the country struggles with high energy costs, subdued global demand for its exports, and rising competition.
"The growth outlook is somewhere between stagnation and a snail's pace," Krueger said.
Separately, the federal labour office said the number of people out of work in Germany rose more than expected in October.
The office said the number of unemployed increased by 27,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.86 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected an increase of 15,000.
The data came as German automaker Volkswagen VOWG_p.DE was locked in talks over potential mass layoffs and wage cuts,
"Job security instead of wage increases could soon be the new mantra in the German labour market," Brzeski said.
The seasonally adjusted jobless rate was stable at 6.1%.
"The autumn upturn in the labour market has largely failed to materialise this year," said labour office head Andrea Nahles.
Inflation rose in four important German states in October, preliminary data showed on Wednesday, suggesting the national rate could also increase.
Economists polled by Reuters forecast a harmonised national inflation rate of 2.1% in October, up from 1.8% the previous month. National figures will be released later on Wednesday.
Reporting by Rachel More and Maria Martinez; Editing by Miranda Murray and Mark Potter
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