According to Eurostat’s preliminary flash estimate, the European economy gathered momentum during the second quarter of 2026. Seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.4% in the euro area and 0.5% across the EU compared with the previous quarter, following flat growth in the euro area and 0.1% growth in the EU during Q1.
The annual picture also strengthened. Compared with the second quarter of 2025, GDP grew by 1.0% in the euro area and 1.2% across the EU, an improvement on the 0.5% and 0.8% annual growth rates respectively recorded in the first quarter.
Among the Member States that have so far reported data, Ireland (+3.9%) recorded the strongest quarterly growth, followed by Lithuania (+1.7%) and Sweden (+1.4%). At the other end of the scale, Belgium and Austria both recorded flat growth (0.0%). On a year-on-year basis, GDP increased in 14 of the reporting Member States, while one recorded a decline.
As these are preliminary flash estimates, they are based on incomplete data and may be revised as additional information becomes available.
You can get the latest Eurostat data on quarterly GDP from their website at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/news/euro-indicators (30 July) or request it from MTA.