But France registered a surprise uptick in growth and the Italian economy shrank less than expected, moderating the pace of decline across the region.
It was the second consecutive year, and the sixth year in the last seven, that exports grew more — or, in 2009, shrank less — than imports.
While still in decline, the manufacturing and construction industries shrank less than some economists had expected in April and the services sector also strengthened last month.
SINGAPORE — Singapore saw signs on Thursday that its worst-ever recession is bottoming out after its economy shrank less than expected in the first quarter.
The economy shrank less than previously estimated in the first quarter, while capping the worst six-month performance in half a century, Commerce Department data showed last week.
LONDON — Britain's economy shrank less than previously thought in the second quarter, according to official data released Thursday, strengthening hope that the country's painful double-dip recession would soon be at an end.
In February, the latest month for which data are available, the trade deficit shrank less than expected.If GDP growth does come in at around 1.5% for the quarter, it will almost certainly understate the economy's true performance.
It is little consolation for voters to learn that their economy is shrinking less than others: GDP is forecast to fall by 1.9% this year, compared with drops of 2.8% in Britain and 2.5% in Germany.
That may be why small firms have done relatively worse now than in the 2001 recession, when their payrolls shrank less than at large firms.If Mr Krueger is right, loosening credit could be the key to restoring job growth at small firms.
The 16-nation euro zone shrank less than expected in the second quarter, by 0.1%.
