Euro area GDP rises 0.4% in third quarter as employment stalls

Eurostat’s flash estimates show the euro area economy grew 0.4 percent in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, seasonally adjusted. The European Union as a whole grew 0.5 percent over the same period. Both figures are slightly below the 0.6 percent euro area growth recorded in the second quarter, and the EU reading also trails its 0.7 percent second-quarter pace.

Against the same quarter a year earlier, euro area GDP was up 1.3 percent and EU output rose 1.5 percent.

Country breakdown shows wide spread

Spain was the strongest of the big four, with GDP up 0.6 percent quarter-on-quarter and 2.7 percent year-on-year. Germany grew 0.2 percent on the quarter and 1.2 percent on the year.

Italy recorded no change on the quarter, though its annual growth was 0.8 percent. France was the weakest, with GDP falling 0.1 percent quarter-on-quarter and also shrinking 0.1 percent year-on-year.

Employment flat on the quarter

Employment was unchanged from the second quarter in both the euro area and the EU. On an annual basis, employment grew 0.4 percent in both regions.

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Source: Eurostat