Brussels: In the first quarter of 2025, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.6% both in the euro area and in the EU, compared with the previous quarter, according to an estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2024, GDP had grown by 0.3% in the euro area and 0.4% in the EU.
According to Emirates News Agency, compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 1.5% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU in the first quarter of 2025, after a growth of 1.2% in the euro area and 1.4% in the EU in the previous quarter.
Ireland recorded the highest increase in GDP compared to the previous quarter with a 9.7% rise, followed by Malta at 2.1% and Cyprus at 1.3%. Conversely, the most significant GDP decreases were seen in Luxembourg, Slovenia, Denmark, and Portugal, with Luxembourg experiencing a reduction of 1.0%.
The number of employed persons increased by 0.2% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU during the first quarter of 2025, compared with the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2024, employment had increased by 0.1% in the euro area and 0.2% in the EU.
Comparing with the same quarter of the previous year, employment rose by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU in the first quarter of 2025, following increases of 0.8% in the euro area and 0.6% in the EU in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Croatia and Spain saw the highest growth in employment, with increases of 1.0% and 0.8%, respectively, compared to the previous quarter. In contrast, Romania, Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland experienced declines in employment, with Romania seeing a decrease of 2.1%.
Based on seasonally adjusted figures, Eurostat estimates that in the first quarter of 2025, 219.8 million people were employed in the EU, of which 171.6 million were in the euro area.