The EU27 external current account recorded a deficit of 30.4 billion euro in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with a deficit of 4.9 bn in the fourth quarter of 2009 and a deficit of 19.7 bn in the third quarter of 2010.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, the EU27 external balance of trade in goods was in deficit by 26.3 bn euro, compared with a deficit of 8.4 bn in the fourth quarter of 2009 and a deficit of 28.4 bn in the third quarter of 2010. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the external balance of trade in services was in surplus by 15.0 bn euro, compared with a surplus of 18.9 bn in the fourth quarter of 2009 and a surplus of 21.1 bn in the third quarter of 2010.

These provisional data, issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, will be subject to revision.