GDP across the European Union rose by 0.5% in the second quarter of this year, while the eurozone economy was up 0.4%, according to new flash estimates from Eurostat.
As the data showed, this marks an acceleration from the first quarter of the year, when the EU economy rose by just 0.1% and the eurozone economy showed flat growth.
Compared with the same period a year earlier, gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 1.2% across the EU. Annual growth strengthened from 0.5% and 0.8% respectively in the first quarter.
The GDP flash estimates are ‘based on data sources that are incomplete and subject to further revisions’, Eurostat noted.
Country by country
In terms of the EU member states that reported the strongest GDP growth in the quarter, Ireland led the way, with GDP rising 3.9% compared to the previous quarter, followed by Lithuania (1.7%) and Sweden (1.4%).
Portugal and Finland also recorded relatively strong quarterly growth, at 0.8% and 0.9% respectively. Spain continued its steady performance, with GDP increasing by 0.7%, compared to the previous quarter. Germany, Italy and France all saw GDP grow 0.2% compared to the previous quarter.
On an annual basis, Lithuania posted the strongest performance among the reporting countries, with GDP increasing by 3.8%, followed by Sweden (2.8%), Spain (2.7%), Portugal and Finland (2.5% each), and Estonia (2.1%).
Ireland remained the only reporting member state to record an annual decline, with GDP falling by 5.6%, Eurostat noted.
Updated estimates for the second quarter will be published on 14 August. Read more here.
GDP Growth Rates in Volume – Q2 2026
| Country/Region | Quarter-on-Quarter Growth (%) | Year-on-Year Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Euro area | 0.4 | 1.0 |
| European Union | 0.5 | 1.2 |
| Belgium | 0.0 | 0.5 |
| Czechia | 0.4 | 2.0 |
| Germany | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| Estonia | 0.4 | 2.1 |
| Ireland*** | 3.9 | -5.6 |
| Spain | 0.7 | 2.7 |
| France | 0.2 | 0.7 |
| Italy | 0.2 | 1.0 |
| Lithuania | 1.7 | 3.8 |
| Hungary | 0.4 | 1.6 |
| Netherlands** | 0.4 | 1.3 |
| Austria | 0.0 | 0.8 |
| Portugal | 0.8 | 2.5 |
| Finland** | 0.9 | 2.5 |
| Sweden** | 1.4 | 2.8 |
* Based on seasonally adjusted data.
** Data subject to specific national methodological notes.
*** Irish GDP figures are affected by the activities of multinational enterprises.
