Brussels, 11/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - During the second quarter 2007, the GDP of the eurozone increased by 0.3% and that of the EU27 by 0.5% compared to the previous quarter, Eurostat confirmed on Thursday 11 October. During the first quarter of the year, growth rates had been +0.8% in both areas. Compared to the same period of the previous year, the GDP of the eurozone increased during the second quarter 2007 by 2.5% and that of the EU27 by 2.8%.
During the second quarter 2007, household consumer spending was up 0.5% in the eurozone and by 0.6% in the EU27. Investment was down by 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. Exports increased by 0.8% in the eurozone and by 0.7% in the EU27, while imports were up 0.5% and 0.4% respectively. GDP was up 0.9% in the United States during the second quarter 2007 (after +0.2% during the previous quarter). On the other hand, it fell by 0.3% in Japan during the same period (compared to a rise of 0.7% the previous quarter). Compared to the second quarter 2006, the GDP of the United States was up 1.9% (+1.5% during the previous quarter) and that of Japan by 1.7% (+2.6% during previous quarter). (ab)