In the first quarter of 2026, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU, compared with the previous quarter, according to a 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.
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, after +1.3% in the euro area and +1.4% in the EU in the previous quarter.
During the first quarter of 2026, GDP in the United States increased by 0.5% compared to the previous quarter (after +0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2025). Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, GDP increased by 2.7% (after +2.0% in the previous quarter).
Employment growth in the euro area and EU
The number of employed persons increased by 0.1% in both the euro area and the EU in the first quarter of 2026, compared with the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2025, employment had increased by 0.2% in both areas.
Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, employment increased by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU in the first quarter of 2026, after +0.7% in the euro area and +0.6% in the EU in the fourth quarter of 2025.
These data provide a picture of labour input consistent with the output and income measures of national accounts.
Source: Eurostat