OTTAWA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Canada's real gross domestic product (GDP) saw a 0.6 percent uptick in the third quarter, following a 0.5 percent dip in the second, Statistics Canada said Friday.

The rise in the third quarter was driven by a strengthening trade balance, as imports dropped by 2.2 percent and exports edged up 0.2 percent, said the national statistical agency.

The drop in imports was the largest since the fourth quarter of 2022, led by decreases in unwrought precious metals and industrial machinery. The modest rise in exports was led by a 6.7 percent increase in crude oil and bitumen, it added.

According to the agency, overall growth was dampened by declines in household and government final consumption expenditures, as well as a slower accumulation of business inventory.

The agency said that on a per capita basis, GDP increased by 0.5 percent in the third quarter after falling by 0.5 percent in the previous quarter.