In the third quarter, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 2.2% in the euro area (2.1% in the second quarter) and by 2.1% in the EU (2.0%), compared with the previous quarter, according to a flash estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, on Tuesday 16 November.
Among the twenty Member States for which data are available, growth was strongest in Austria (+3.3%), France (+3.0%) and Portugal (+2.9%). It was 2.6% in Italy, 2.0% in Spain and 1.8% in Germany. The lowest growth rates were recorded in Lithuania (0.0%), Latvia and Romania (both 0.3%).
The number of employed persons increased by 0.9% in both the euro area and the EU in the third quarter,compared to the second quarter.
Inflation confirmed at 4.1% in the euro area
In October, annual inflation was 4.1% in the euro area (3.4% in September) and 4.4% in the EU (3.6%), Eurostat confirmed on Wednesday.
The lowest annual rates were observed in Malta (1.4%), Portugal (1.8%), Finland and Greece (both 2.8%). The highest rates were recorded in Lithuania (8.2%), Estonia (6.8%) and Hungary (6.6%).
Inflation rose in all Member States - to 3.2% in France and Italy, 4.6% in Germany and 5.2% in Spain.
The highest contribution to the annual euro area inflation rate came from energy (+2.21 percentage points). (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)