Luxembourg, 03/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - According to estimates that Eurostat published on Thursday, the GNP of the euro zone and that of the Union (EU15) saw a growth of 0.1 and 0.2%, respectively, over the third quarter 2001 (compared to the second quarter). These results follow growth of 0.1% in both the euro zone and EU15 in the second quarter 2001. Compared to the third quarter 2000, GDP in the euro zone saw growth of 1.3% and that of the EU15 1.4%.
In the third quarter 2001, growth in household final consumer expenditure, even if slowing down, sustained GDP growth. It grew by 0.2% in the euro zone and by 0.5% in the EU15 (after +0.5% and +0.6%, respectively, in the second quarter if 2001). Investments dropped by 0.3% in the euro zone and by 0.8% in the EU15 (after -0.5% in the euro zone and -0.1% in the EU15 during the second quarter of 2001). Exports recorded a decrease during the third quarter of 2001 (0.6% and 1.1% respectively, after -0.2% and 0.5% during the previous quarter), as well as imports (1.9% and 2.1% respectively, after +0.3% and -0.2% in the second quarter of 2001). Compared to the previous quarter, agriculture recorded the highest growth among all branches during the third quarter of 2001,, with a rise of 3.1% in the euro zone and 1.5% in the EU15. Construction recorded a growth of 0.1% in the euro zone and 0.5% in the EU15, both after negative growth rates in the preceding quarter, and industry showed the lowest result among all branches, dropping by 0.6% both in the euro zone and the EU15.
In the United States, the economy saw a decrease of GDP (-0.1%), during the third quarter of 2001, after 0.1% in the second quarter. Household final consumption expenditure grew by 0.3%, while investments saw another sizeable drop (2.2%). Exports (-4.4%) and imports (-4.0%) continued to decrease, now for the fourth consecutive quarter. GDP in the United States grew by 0.8% in the third quarter of 2001, compared to the third quarter of 2000 (1.2% in the previous quarter).