The economy expanded 0.4pc in the April-June period despite a steep 1.0pc fall in government spending, according to the official stats agency IBGE.

Bolsonaro tweeted that the economy was climbing out of the hole dug for it by the previous government, adding, "We're on the right path!"

The Economy Ministry said the outlook was brighter than a few months ago.

"The ongoing fiscal adjustment, low productivity, and global uncertainty still suggest there is a long way to go," according to a ministry presentation released on Thursday.

"But it is important to stress that despite these challenges, Brazil's situation today is more favorable than it was a few months ago," it said, citing the government's drive to control spending and the deficit.

Assuming growth at second-quarter levels for the rest of the year, Brazil's economy is on course to grow 0.6pc this year over 2018, according to the presentation.

That would be significantly below the 1.1pc growth in both 2017, and 2018, although the Economy Ministry's official forecast is for 0.8pc expansion this year.