In the fourth quarter of 2025, seasonally-adjusted GDP increased by 0.3% in the euro area and the European Union compared to the previous quarter, according to a preliminary flash estimate published by the EU’s statistical office (Eurostat) on Friday 30th January.
Of the fifteen Member States for which data are available, Lithuania (1.7% of GDP) recorded the biggest increase compared with the third quarter of 2025, followed by Spain and Portugal (both 0.8%). Ireland (-0.6%) was the only country to record a fall on the previous quarter, while the Estonian economy stagnated.
Growth was moderate in Germany and Italy (both 0.3%) and in France (0.2%).
According to an estimate for 2025 based on data adjusted for seasonal variations and calendar effects, GDP has increased by 1.5% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU.
Unemployment. Again according to Eurostat, at the end of 2025, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 6.2% in the euro area (6.3% in November 2025), or 10.8 million people, and 5.9% in the EU (stable compared with November), or 13 million people. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)