According to Eurostat’s latest regular estimate, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by +0.6% in the euro area and +0.7% across the EU in Q2 2026, compared with the previous quarter. This followed stable GDP in the euro area and growth of +0.1% in the EU in Q1.
Compared with the same quarter a year earlier, GDP increased by +1.2% in the euro area and +1.4% across the EU, accelerating from annual growth of +0.6% and +0.9%, respectively, in Q1.
This is the third Eurostat estimate of Q2 GDP. The preliminary flash estimate published on 30 July showed growth of +0.4% in the euro area and +0.5% in the EU, while the second estimate published on 14 August left these figures unchanged. The latest regular estimate, based on a more comprehensive dataset and revised national data, increased the Q2 growth rates to +0.6% and +0.7%.
For comparison, US GDP increased by +0.4% in Q2 2026, following growth of +0.5% in Q1. Compared with the same quarter a year earlier, US GDP increased by +2.1%, down from +2.7% in Q1.
Among EU Member States, Ireland recorded the strongest quarterly GDP growth at +10.2%, followed by Slovenia (+1.8%) and Lithuania (+1.7%). Austria was the only Member State to record a decline, with GDP falling by -0.1%.
Overall, the latest figures point to a clear strengthening of economic growth in Q2, with both quarterly and annual growth accelerating across the euro area and EU. However, performance remains uneven across Member States, with particularly strong growth in Ireland, Slovenia and Lithuania contrasting with weaker performance in several larger economies.
You can get the latest Eurostat data on quarterly GDP from their website at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/news/euro-indicators (7 September) or request it from MTA.