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However, after almost 15 years of
above average GDP growth, the Spanish economy began to slow in late 2007 and entered into a
recession in the second quarter of 2008. GDP contracted by 3.7% in 2009, ending a 16-year
growth trend, and by another 0.1% in 2010, before turning positive in 2011, making Spain the last
major economy to emerge from the global recession. The reversal in Spain's economic growth
reflected a significant decline in construction amid an oversupply of housing and falling consumer
spending, while exports actually have begun to grow. Government efforts to boost the economy
through stimulus spending, extended unemployment benefits, and loan guarantees did not prevent
a sharp rise in the unemployment rate, which rose from a low of about 8% in 2007 to 20% in 2010.
The government budget deficit worsened from 3.8% of GDP in 2008 to 9.2% of GDP in 2010,
more than three times the euro-zone limit