The government is forecasting growth of 3.1 percent this year, though many private analysts expect it could be higher.

The government had forecast growth of three percent in January.

The government has so far forecast that the economy would grow by 1.4 percent this year, analysts noted.

As Japan struggles with its fourth recession in a decade, even the government does not forecast that growth will return before 2004.

The Spanish government forecasts a 1.7% drop for 2012.

The federal government has forecast that residential consumers who heat with natural gas will face a 50 percent increase in their heating bills this winter.

The government had forecast 2pc growth this year and 2.25pc next year, but has revised both of these targets to 1.75pc.

Analysts are expecting the economy to grow 0.4 percent this year, half what the Italian government has forecast.

Spain's government forecast the unemployment rate would rise to 16% in 2009.

The government is forecasting economic growth in the medicine and high-tech sectors as a result of this new legislation.