Growth in investment and exports accelerates
During the fourth quarter of 2006, household final consumption expenditure increased by 0.6% in both zones (after +0.7% in the euro area and +0.6% in the EU25 in the third quarter of 2006). Investments grew by 1.2% in the euro area and by 1.5% in the EU25 (after +0.6% and +0.9%). Exports rose by 3.7% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU25 (after +1.8% and +0.3%). Imports increased by 1.9% in the euro area and by 1.7% in the EU25 (after +2.2% and +0.2%).
US GDP up by 0.6%, Japanese GDP up by 1.2%
In the United States GDP increased by 0.6% during the fourth quarter of 2006, after +0.5% in the third quarter. In Japan GDP grew by 1.2% in the fourth quarter, after +0.1% in the previous quarter.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, GDP rose by 3.1% in the US (after +3.0% in the previous quarter) and by 2.3% in Japan (after +1.5%).
GDP grew by 2.6% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU25 in 2006
Over the whole year 2006, GDP grew by 2.6% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU25, compared to +1.4% and +1.7% respectively for 2005.
Over the whole year 2006, GDP grew by 3.3% in the US (+3.2% in 2005) and by 2.2% in Japan (+1.9% in 2005).