ROME, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Italy's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, the national statistics institute ISTAT announced Friday.
This compares to a 1.4-percent growth in the UK, 2.5-percent growth in both France and the United States, and a rise of 2.9 percent in Germany. In the eurozone economy as a whole, the GDP was up 2.7 percent in the same period, ISTAT analysts said.
As well, Italy's GDP made a 0.3-percent gain in the fourth quarter of 2017 over the previous three months -- compared to 0.4 percent in the UK, 0.6 percent in France, Germany, and the United States, and 0.6 percent in the eurozone.
Overall, the Mediterranean country's economy expanded by 1.5 percent in 2017 compared to 2016, said ISTAT, confirming its Feb. 14 estimates.
Fourth quarter GDP figures started to climb above zero in 2013, according to the ISTAT. The sluggish economy and lack of jobs are big issues for Italian citizens ahead of a national election to be held on Sunday.
