Brussels, 05/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - GDP fell by 1.5% in both the euro area (EA15) and the EU271 during the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with the previous quarter, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. In the third quarter of 2008, growth rates were -0.2% in the euro area and -0.3% in the EU27. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2007, seasonally adjusted GDP declined by 1.3% in both the euro area and in the EU27, after +0.6% and +0.7% respectively for the previous quarter. Household final consumption expenditure declined by 0.9% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27 (after +0.1% in both zones in the previous quarter). Investments fell by 2.7% in the euro area and by 2.5% in the EU27 (after -0.6% and -1.0%). Exports decreased by 7.3% in the euro area and by 6.8% in the EU27 (after 0.0% in both zones). Imports dropped by 5.5% in both the euro area and the EU27 (after +1.4% and +1.0%). In the United States, GDP decreased by 1.6% during the fourth quarter of 2008 after -0.1% in the third quarter. In Japan GDP fell by 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2008, after -0.6% in the previous quarter. In 2008, US GDP grew by 1.1% (+2.0% in 2007) and Japans' fell by 0.7% (+2.4% in 2007). (A.B./trans/rh)