On an annual basis, GDP rose by 1.3 percent in the euro area and by 1.5 percent in the EU.
BRUSSELS, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The euro area economy expanded by 0.2 percent quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, according to a preliminary flash estimate released on Thursday by Eurostat.
The European Union (EU) as a whole grew by 0.3 percent over the same period. Meanwhile, on an annual basis, gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 1.3 percent in the euro area and by 1.5 percent in the EU.
Among the countries reporting Q3 data, Sweden posted the strongest quarterly increase with 1.1 percent, followed by Portugal with 0.8 percent. Output declined in Lithuania by 0.2 percent, and edged down by 0.1 percent in Ireland and Finland.
Within the larger euro area economies, Germany and Italy recorded zero growth from the second to the third quarter of 2025. France expanded by 0.5 percent and Spain by 0.6 percent. The Netherlands also outperformed with growth of 0.4 percent.
Bert Colijn, chief economist at ING, said the outcome was slightly better than anticipated. A gradual acceleration of growth over the coming year is expected, he said. Nevertheless, he remains cautious about calling this the start of a growth spurt, given domestic and global uncertainty.
He cited budget pressures and reform agendas at home, as well as a global slowdown and trade policy at the international level. ■
