Germany's robust exports helped Europe's largest economy eke out 0.1% growth.

Data showed on Friday that it staved off contraction despite a second wave of the new strain of the virus, slamming the brakes on consumption.

France, the eurozone second largest economy, shrank 1.3% in the final three months of last year while Spain achieved a timid quarterly growth of not 0.4%.

But that's not stopped the country from recording its worst ever annual economic contraction, with output falling 11%.

One economist said Numbers for Germany, France and Spain showed that GDP was relatively resilient in Q four, but added that there are not many indications that this dynamic could have continued into Q one.

Virus cases remain high across the region and France is on tenterhooks to find out in the coming days whether the government will put the country under a new lock down.

Germany's leaders agreed last week to extend its restrictions until mid February.

The government slashed its growth forecast to 3% this year.

The International Monetary Fund said this week that the euro area is likely to slip behind the United States in its recovery.