
PARIS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- France's post-lockdown economic recovery is set to taper off in the last quarter of the year as a second countrywide anti-coronavirus confinement takes a toll to business activity, the national statistics institute INSEE said on Wednesday evening.
The eurozone's second-biggest economy will contract by 4.5 percent in the fourth quarter after a 18.7-percent rebound in the third quarter.
INSEE had previously expected a quarterly growth contraction of between 2.5 and 6 percent depending on the coronavirus situation.
"After a strong, partly mechanical rebound in the third quarter, French economic activity should fall again during a partially confined fourth quarter," it said.
On Oct. 30, in order to contain a second epidemic wave, the French government ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses.
INSEE noted that the economic fallout of the second lockdown is likely to be less severe than the first two-month confinement introduced in mid-March, with activity seen 12 percent below pre-crisis levels in November compared with about 30 percent in April.
For the October-December period, France is set to lose 8 percent of its economic activities, it added.
As to full-year economic performance, the stats agency expected French growth to contract by 9 percent, compared with a government forecast of 11 percent.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses