GDP increased by 0.2% in both the euro area1 (EA16) and the EU27 during the first quarter of 2010, compared with the previous quarter, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2009, growth rates were +0.1% in the euro area and +0.2% in the EU27.

Compared with the first quarter of 2009, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU27, after -2.1% and -2.3% respectively for the previous quarter.

Variation in components of GDP

During the first quarter of 2010, household final consumption expenditure fell by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27 (after +0.2% in both zones in the previous quarter). Investments decreased by 1.1% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU27 (after -1.3% and -1.6% respectively). Exports increased by 2.5% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU27 (after +1.7% and +1.9%). Imports increased by 4.0% in the euro area and by 3.4% in the EU27 (after +1.2% and +1.6%).

US and Japanese GDP

In the United States GDP increased by 0.8% during the first quarter of 2010, after +1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2009. In Japan GDP increased by 1.2% in the first quarter of 2010, after +1.0% in the previous quarter.

Compared with the first quarter of 2009, GDP increased by 2.5% in the United States (after +0.1% in the previous quarter) and by 4.2% in Japan (after -1.4%).