Eurostat: EU economy grew 0.5% in third quarter of 2026 as quarterly growth slowed

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ recent economic expansion and strong fiscal results come as growth moderates across the European Union, where GDP rose by 0.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2026, according to preliminary Eurostat figures.

Quarterly growth slows

Between July and September, the euro area economy expanded by 0.4 per cent, while the EU as a whole grew by 0.5 per cent against the preceding quarter. This marks a deceleration from the second quarter, when GDP rose by 0.6 per cent in the euro area and 0.7 per cent in the EU.

Related: Qrator Labs: Cyprus Bank Hit by 200-Hour DDoS Attack in Third Quarter of 2026

RelatedQrator Labs: Cyprus Bank Hit by 200-Hour DDoS Attack in Third Quarter of 2026

Annual growth edges higher

Growth measured against the same period of 2025 strengthened slightly. Euro area GDP was 1.3 per cent higher in the third quarter, compared with 1.2 per cent in the second quarter. In the EU, the annual rate reached 1.5 per cent, up from 1.4 per cent in the previous quarter.

Differences between member states

Among the member states with available data, Ireland posted the strongest quarterly performance, with GDP up by 5.5 per cent. Estonia, Spain and the Netherlands came next, each with growth of 0.6 per cent. Lithuania’s economy shrank by 1 per cent, and France recorded a smaller contraction of 0.1 per cent.

Year-on-year growth was positive in 14 of the countries for which figures were available and negative in one.

Preliminary nature of the data

Eurostat emphasised that the figures are flash estimates built on incomplete data sources. They may therefore be revised once more information becomes available.