Spain’s economy grew the strongest in the final quarter.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin, Brussels Amid the omicron wave, economic growth in the euro zone slowed at the end of 2021. The gross domestic product (GDP) climbed from October to December by 0.3 percent compared to the previous quarter, as the statistics office Eurostat announced on Monday based on preliminary figures.
Experts polled by Reuters had expected that number. In the summer, GDP grew by 2.3 percent.
According to preliminary estimates, economic output in the euro area increased by 5.2 percent in 2021 as a whole. At the end of last year, the economic situation had clouded over. Delivery problems, rising prices and the emergence of the new coronavirus mutant Omicron hit the economy.
Among the euro area countries for which GDP data are available for the fourth quarter of 2021, Spain (up 2.0 percent) recorded the highest increase, followed by Portugal (up 1.6 percent). There were declines in Austria (minus 2.2 percent), Germany (minus 0.7 percent) and Latvia (minus 0.1 percent).
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.