The figure confirmed an earlier estimate.

On a 12-month basis, the economy showed growth of 0.8 percent in the second quarter, Istat also confirmed.

External demand was the main driver of growth, and exports rose by 0.9 percent, Istat said. Imports fell by 2.3 percent.

Consumption and investment increased by 0.2 percent.

Italy has been handicapped by weak growth for several years, and is now in the throes of pushing through crash measures and cutbacks to correct the budget because of market pressure over high national debt.

In August the Italian central bank warned of the negative effects on growth of these measures, and called for structural reforms to strengthen the potential for growth and avoid what it termed stagnation.