Germany: Earlier than forecasted
GDP: 1.3%*
Inflation: 0%
Unemployment: 8.3%
Markets: 25.2%
Interest rate: 1%
Germany thought it would exit its recession this year, but economists didn't expect to see GDP growth quite so soon.
Europe's biggest economy rebounded from four-straight quarters of decline to grow at an annualized pace of 1.3% last quarter.
A $120 billion stimulus package, $25.9 billion business lending program and extensions of government-subsidized labor contracts, helped Germany out of its recession.
German factory orders are on the rise and retail sales are climbing as well. Business confidence in Germany rose to a one-year high, and consumer confidence is at a 15-month high.
But the country's unemployment rate is still rising, and economists expect it to soar once the government's job subsidies come to an end.
Germany also has to deal with a huge $25 billion budget deficit during the first half of 2009, which compares with a more than $10 billion surplus during the same period last year.
NEXT: France: Better than expected
Last updated September 24 2009: 11:03 AM ET
Source: IMF, national statistics offices, central banks, DAX
*Figure does not match chart because it is given in an annualized rate
*Figure does not match chart because it is given in an annualized rate
