LONDON (AP) — British industrial production fell sharply in January, official figures showed Tuesday, raising fears that the country will suffer its third recession in not much more than four years.

The Office for National Statistics said industrial production dropped a monthly rate of 1.2 percent from December, in contrast to expectations for a 0.2 percent rise. Industrial output includes manufacturing, as well as sectors such as construction and oil and gas production, and accounts for around 20 percent of the British economy, which is Europe’s third-largest.