the french economy grew in the fourth quarter although at a slower pace than in the previous quarter because of a surge in coronavirus infections the eurozones secondlargest economy expanded by 07 following 31 growth in the previous quarter french statistics agency insee said friday in a first estimate for the period economists polled by the wall street journal had forecast the economy would grow by 05 on quarter on an annualized basis the economy expanded by 54 in the fourth quarter spain germany and belgium will also release figures on gross domestic product friday