BERLIN, Feb 12 - The German economy grew by 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2003 compared with the previous quarter, less than expected, preliminary data released on Thursday showed. The rise, adjusted for seasonal factors and differences in the number of working days, was below a forecast for growth of 0.3 percent in a poll of 20 economists . Year-on-year, fourth-quarter GDP also grew by 0.2 percent, the Federal Statistics Office said. Economists polled by had predicted year-on-year growth of 0.1 percent. The Office said fourth quarter growth was driven by a fairly strong rise in domestic demand. The export surplus shrank as imports outpaced exports. The Office also confirmed earlier data showing third-quarter GDP grew 0.2 percent quarter-on-quarter following two previous quarters of contraction.||