The first green shoots of recovery in the Spanish economy have been officially confirmed.<br /><br />According to the National Office of Statistics, Spain has recorded 0.1 percent growth – the economy’s first expansion in nine quarters.<br /><br />Strong exports have helped Spain edge into positive ground, though with demand at home still depressed, sustainable growth that creates jobs may remain elusive for years.<br /><br />Compared to labour-heavy sectors such as construction or services, export create few domestic opportunities and with more than one in four out of work, the recovery will ring hollow for many.<br /><br />Unemployment is still stubbornly high and Madrid hopes the jobless rate has already peaked at 26.3 percent.
