GDP grew by 0.9% in both the euro area (EA12) and the EU25 during the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to the previous quarter, according to flash estimates published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. In the third quarter of 2006, growth rates were +0.5% in the euro area and +0.6% in the EU25.

Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP grew by 3.3% in the euro area and by 3.4% in the EU25 in the fourth quarter of 2006, after +2.7% and +3.0% respectively in the previous quarter.

During the fourth quarter of 2006, US GDP increased by 0.9% compared to the previous quarter, after +0.5% in the third quarter. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, GDP grew by 3.4% in the US, after +3.0% in the previous quarter.

Over the whole year 2006, GDP grew by 2.7% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU25, compared to +1.4% and +1.7% respectively for the year 2005. In the US, GDP growth for the year 2006 was +3.4%, after +3.2% in 2005.