Germany's economy grew at the fastest rate since reunification in the second quarter as companies stepped up investment and exports surged, providing fresh evidence that the recovery has shifted up a gear.
Gross domestic product grew 2.2 per cent on the quarter.
First-quarter growth was also revised up to 0.5 per cent from 0.2 previously, Federal Statistics figures showed on Friday.
Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said growth of well over 2 per cent was now possible for the full year — far above the government's official forecast of 1.4 per cent.
"We can't speak of a growth miracle but we are certainly in an XL-upswing," Bruederle said.
{{/usCountry}}"We can't speak of a growth miracle but we are certainly in an XL-upswing," Bruederle said.
{{/usCountry}}Several economists said they expected the economy —Europe's largest — could grow by at least 3 per cent this year, as did the country's Ifo economic institute said.