In the first quarter of 2026, seasonally-adjusted GDP rose by 0.1% in both the euro area and the European Union compared with the previous quarter, according to a preliminary flash estimate published by the EU’s statistical office (Eurostat) on Thursday 30 April. Of the fifteen Member States for which data are available, Finland (0.9% of GDP) recorded the biggest increase on the previous quarter, followed by Hungary (0.8%), Estonia and Spain (both 0.6%). Declines were recorded in Ireland (-2.0%), Lithuania (-0.4%) and Sweden (-0.2%). Growth was moderate in Germany (0.3%), weak in Italy (0.2%) and lacklustre in France. According to Eurostat, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for the euro area was 6.2% in March, and 6.0% for the EU. (MB)