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.
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.
