Figures showing a surprise financial growth spurt in the second quarter of the year have been hailed as proof that Sweden's economy is on the road to recovery.

Sweden's GDP showed a strong annual rise by 3.0 percent in the second quarter of 2015, compared to the same period the year before, according to Statistics Sweden. Experts had predicted 2.5 percent growth.

GDP is one of the most important indicators used to assess the health of a nation's economy and represents the total value of goods and services produced over a set length of time.

And Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson welcomed the news on Thursday.

“The new figures are a positive message about the Swedish economy's recovery. The most important thing for the government now is partly to continue to ensure healthy state finances and decreasing deficit, and partly to focus on measures to make sure more people get into work,” she told the TT news agency.

The weaker-than-normal Swedish krona has strengthened the export industry, which has also benefited from a stronger European market. Last month Swedish exports amounted to a total value of 108,9 billion kronor – 14 percent more than June last year and the highest level in several years.

Read the full story: www.thelocal.se

Photo: Riksbank.se