Brussels: In the first quarter of 2026, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.1% in both the euro area and the EU, compared with the previous quarter, according to a preliminary flash estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2025, GDP had increased by 0.2% in both areas.

According to Emirates News Agency, compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU in the first quarter of 2026, following increases of 1.3% in the euro area and 1.4% in the EU in the previous quarter.

Among the Member States, Finland recorded the highest increase compared to the previous quarter with a growth of 0.9%, followed by Hungary with an increase of 0.8%, and Estonia and Spain both achieving 0.6%. Conversely, declines were observed in Ireland with a decrease of 2.0%, Lithuania with a decrease of 0.4%, and Sweden with a decrease of 0.2%. The year-on-year growth rate was positive for fourteen countries and negative for one country.