BERLIN- Europe's largest economy might shrink more this year than during the 2008/9 financial crisis, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Thursday, adding that contractions of more than 8% might be registered in some months.

Altmaier said the economy had fared well during the first two months of the year - before Germany went into virtual lockdown in March.

"We expect that in individual months in the first half, the economy could shrink by more than 8%," he said.

(Reporting by Michelle Martin) ((MichelleHannah.Martin@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 2888 5223; Reuters Messaging: MichelleHannah.Martin.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))