BRUSSELS — The eurozone economy grew faster than first estimated in the third quarter of 2026, according to revised figures released by Eurostat on Friday, in a welcome upward revision for the 21-country currency bloc.
Eurostat's revised estimate put eurozone gross domestic product growth at 0.6% in the third quarter compared with the previous three months, up from the 0.4% shown in the preliminary flash estimate published on October 30. The result also beat the 0.4% expansion economists had expected.
On an annual basis, the eurozone economy grew 1.3% in the third quarter, in line with the preliminary estimate. The revision means the bloc grew at the same pace as in the second quarter, rather than slowing as the flash estimate had suggested.
The preliminary estimate had shown an uneven picture across the bloc's largest economies: Germany grew 0.2% in the quarter and Spain 0.6%, while Italy recorded no growth and France contracted 0.1%. Ireland posted an exceptional 5.5% quarterly expansion, though Eurostat cautioned that the Irish figure is experimental and should be interpreted with particular care.
The euro showed little reaction to the release, trading flat at around $1.1054 shortly after the figures were published.
The stronger growth reading comes as the European Central Bank weighs whether to raise interest rates again, with eurozone inflation running well above its target and energy costs still elevated. Eurostat cautioned that the estimates remain based on incomplete data and are subject to further revision.
