Brussels, 04/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - According to Eurostat estimates, GDP declined by 0.2% in both the euro area and the EU27 during the third quarter of 2008, compared with the previous quarter. Compared with the third quarter of 2007, seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27, after +1.4% and +1.7% respectively for the previous quarter.
During the third quarter of 2008, household final consumption expenditure remained unchanged in the euro area and increased by 0.1% in the EU27 (after -0.2% and -0.1% respectively in the previous quarter). Investments fell by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27 (after -0.9% and -1.0%). Exports increased by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27 (after -0.1% in both zones) while imports increased by 1.7% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27 (after -0.4% in both zones). (A.B./transl.rt)