Greece emerged from a long recession in the first three months of this year after the economy expanded for the first time since 2009, revised figures from the Hellenic Statistical Authority showed Friday.
The economy went on to expand in the next two quarters. The upbeat growth figures comes as the country plans to exit an EU-IMF sponsored bailout at the end of the year.
Gross domestic product rose a seasonally adjusted 0.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2013, when it fell 0.4 percent. It was the first growth in GDP since the second quarter of 2009.
The pace of growth eased to 0.3 percent in the second quarter, only to accelerate to 0.7 percent in the three months to September.
This was the first time the Greek statistical agency released seasonally adjusted quarterly figures after suspending their publication in 2011.
On an unadjusted basis, GDP increased 1.7 percent in the third quarter following 0.4 percent growth in the previous three months and 0.4 percent contraction in the three months to March. Annual growth figure came in well above economists' prediction for 0.7 percent expansion.
Greece had to be rescued twice by international lenders during its financial crisis, which was so severe that it even led to speculation of the country leaving Eurozone.
This month, the European Commission forecast this year to be a turning point for Greece as the economy is expected to return to growth led by private consumption and net exports. GDP is projected to grow 0.6 percent this year and 2.9 percent in 2015. In 2016, growth is seen at 3.7 percent.
Unemployment, though on a declining trend, remains high. Yesterday, official figures showed that the jobless rate eased for a fourth straight month in August to 25.9 percent, its lowest level in two years.
The European Commission has forecast 26.8 percent unemployment rate for this year and 25 percent for 2015. The rate is seen dropping further to 22 percent in 2016.
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