Brussels, 06/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - Euro area and EU25 GDP both grew by 0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to the previous quarter, when growth rates were 0.6%. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 3.3% in the euro area and by 3.4% in the EU25, after +2.7% and +3.0% respectively for the previous quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2006, household final consumption expenditure increased by 0.6% in both zones, investments grew by 1.2% in the euro area and by 1.5% in the EU25, exports rose by 3.7% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU25 and imports increased by 1.9% and by 1.7% respectively. In the United States, GDP increased by 0.6% during the fourth quarter of 2006, compared with 0.5% in the third quarter. In Japan, GDP grew by 1.2% in the fourth quarter, compared with 0.1% in the previous quarter. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, GDP rose by 3.1% in the US (after +3.0% in the previous quarter) and by 2.3% in Japan (after +1.5%). Over the whole year 20063, GDP grew by 2.6% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU25, compared to +1.4% and +1.7% respectively for 2005. Over the same period, GDP grew by 3.3% in the US (+3.2% in 2005) and by 2.2% in Japan (+1.9% in 2005). (ab)