BOGOTA, Nov 18 Reuters Colombia39;s economy grew 2.0 yearonyear in the third quarter, the government39;s DANE statistics agency said on Monday.

The result came in below market expectations of 2.3 in a Reuters poll last week and the central bank technical team39;s 2.4 forecast.

The economy grew by 0.2 from the second quarter, DANE added.

The yearonyear expansion was driven by entertainment, which grew 14.1, agriculture, which grew 10.7, and finance, which expanded 4.4, DANE director Piedad Urdinola told a press conference.

The mining sector contracted by 7.1, while manufacturing shrank 1.3, DANE said.

Private investment in the third quarter was up 22.7 yearonyear, DANE said.

For the first nine months of 2024, economic output was up 1.6 yearonyear.

Inflation stood at 5.41 in October, well above the central bank39;s 3 target. Since last December, it has cut its benchmark interest rate by 325 basis points to 9.75.

Reporting by Carlos Vargas and Nelson Bocanegra Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Kevin Liffey

Source Reuters