French GDP in the first quarter of 2016 increased by 0.5% compared with the previous three months, according to preliminary data the French national statistics Institute Insee.
Experts surveyed by Bloomberg expected an increase of GDP by 0.4%.
In the fourth quarter of 2015, France’s economy grew 0.3% on the previous quarter.
The growth of the French economy in January-March, stimulated the increase in business investment and consumer spending.
Consumer spending in the first quarter increased by 1.2% compared to the previous quarter, business investment rose 1.6 percent.
The volume of French imports in January-March rose 0.5%, while exports declined 0.2%.
Experts say signals that economic growth in France begins to be a positive influence on the labour market. So, the number of applications for unemployment benefits in the country in March fell by 60 thousand to 3.58 million, reaching the lowest level for the year.
The European Commission estimates, the GDP of France in 2016 will increase by 1.3%, in 2017 – by 1.7%.
