The Russian economy shrank 7.9 per cent in 2009 compared with 2008. The Federal Statistics Service said this was less bad than the government's 8.5 per cent forecast, but it was still the biggest annual fall in 15 years. The oil exports that previously underpinned Russia's growth have been hit by a sharp drop in energy prices. The preliminary official statistics show that the decline also sharply affected construction, manufacturing, restaurants and hotels. However, 2010 may see a return to growth. Manufacturing data indicated a month of expansion in January, with the country's purchasing managers' index rising to 50.8 from the previous month's reading of 48.8.