GDP in the European Union rose by 0.5% in the second quarter of 2026, compared to the previous quarter, according to new data from Eurostat. GDP in the euro area was up 0.4%.
The data indicates that the European economy reported stronger growth than the first quarter, when EU GDP increased by 0.1% and euro area GDP was unchanged.
On a year-on-year basis, i.e. compared with the second quarter of 2025, GDP increased by 1.0% in the euro area and 1.2% in the EU, following annual growth of 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
Among the larger European economies, Spain recorded quarterly growth of 0.7%, while Italy and France each grew by 0.2%. Germany’s economy expanded by 0.2%, and the Netherlands grew by 0.4%. Poland recorded one of the stronger performances, with GDP increasing by 0.9% over the quarter and 3.7% year on year.
Slovenia recorded quarterly growth of 1.8%, while Sweden grew by 1.4%, Finland by 0.9%, Portugal by 0.8% and Cyprus by 0.8%. Lithuania’s economy expanded by 1.7% compared with the previous quarter.
Romania recorded no quarterly growth and GDP was down 2.0% year on year. Austria also recorded no quarterly growth, while Belgium reported zero growth and annual growth of 0.5%.
Ireland recorded quarterly GDP growth of 3.9%, following declines of 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 7.0% in the first quarter of 2026. However, Irish GDP remained 5.6% below its level a year earlier. Eurostat noted that Ireland’s flash GDP estimate is categorised as a CSO Frontier Series Output, and may use methods or data sources that are still under development.
Employment rates
Elsewhere, Eurostat reported that employment increased by 0.1% in both the euro area and EU during the second quarter, compared with the previous quarter. Euro area employment had also increased by 0.1% in the first quarter, while EU employment was unchanged. Compared with a year earlier, employment was up 0.5% in both areas.
Eurostat said the second-quarter flash GDP estimates are based on Member State data covering 99% of euro area and EU GDP. The employment estimates cover 95% of euro area employment and 92% of total EU employment. Read more here.
