Germany's vice chancellor has said the country's economy, Europe's biggest, grew by 0.75% last year.
He added that recent data send upbeat signals for growth in 2013.
The figure for last year compares with much stronger growth in 2010 and 2011 of 4.2% and 3% respectively.
But Vice Chancellor Philipp Roesler described it as "robust," given the fact that several other countries in the 17-nation euro zone are experiencing recessions.
In mid-October, the German government had forecast growth of 0.8% in 2012 and 1% this year.
Roesler said today that the final quarter of last year was "somewhat weaker than we expected," without elaborating. He noted, however, that recent industrial orders figures and other indicators suggest the weak phase was temporary.
