Britain reported 0.2 percent decrease in gross domestic product (GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2011, official figures showed Wednesday.
The figure marks a sharp drop in economic growth in Britain from the third quarter of 2011, when GDP was up 0.6 percent.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Wendsday that Britain's economy grew 0.9 percent during 2011.
According to the ONS, output of the production industries decreased 1.2 percent in Q4 2011, compared with an increase of 0.2 percent in the previous quarter.
Construction sector output decreased by 0.5 percent in Q4 2011, compared with an increase of 0.3 percent in the previous quarter.
Output of the service industries was unchanged in Q4 2011, following a rise of 0.7 percent in the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, GDP in volume terms increased by 0.8 percent in Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010.
The ONS released a preliminary estimate on the British economy which would be revised either up or down 0.2 percent. /.