Germany's workforce expanded last year by the most in 10 years, data showed on Tuesday, underlining the strength of a labour market that has helped consumption overtake exports as the main driver of growth in Europe's largest economy. The workforce grew by 638,000 last year, an increase of 1.5 percent, to hit a record high of 44.3 million, the Federal Statistics Office said. It was the largest yearly increase in 10 years.

The office attributed the rise to more foreigners finding work in Germany, where a growing number of economic sectors are suffering from labour shortages. An increasing number of women and senior citizens are also finding work, the data showed. Last year was the eighth year of growth in Germany, whose economy is gaining momentum from consumption, state spending and exports.

The Statistics Office will publish later this month preliminary growth figures for 2017, which the government expects to be 2 percent, unadjusted for calendar effects.

Copyright Reuters, 2018