Poland’s economy grew 3.6% year on year in the third quarter of 2026, more than twice the EU’s 1.5% pace, according to Eurostat’s seasonally and calendar-adjusted figures. Quarterly growth slowed to 0.4% in the euro area and 0.5% across the EU, while employment in both remained unchanged.
By Adam Ujazdowski.
The preliminary estimates, published on 13 November, showed euro-area quarterly GDP growth slowing from 0.6% in the second quarter. Growth across the EU eased from 0.7% to 0.5%.
Annual growth, however, strengthened slightly. Euro-area GDP was 1.3% higher than a year earlier, compared with 1.2% growth in the second quarter, while the EU’s annual rate rose from 1.4% to 1.5%.
Poland outpaces the EU despite slower growth
Poland’s 3.6% annual expansion was down from 4% in the second quarter. Quarter-on-quarter growth slowed to 0.8% from 1.1% in April–June, but remained above the EU’s 0.5%.
Among countries with available figures, Romania grew 2.1% quarter on quarter, although its GDP was only 0.3% higher than a year earlier. Spain and the Netherlands each recorded quarterly growth of 0.6%.
Change from Q3 2025, % • selected economies
Source: Eurostat flash estimate, 13 November 2026. Seasonally and calendar-adjusted data. Bar length shows the magnitude of the change; a minus sign indicates a decline.
Germany grows modestly as France contracts
Germany’s economy expanded 0.2% from the second quarter and 1.2% year on year. France’s GDP fell 0.1% on both measures.
Italy’s economy was unchanged from the previous quarter and grew 0.8% year on year. Spain performed more strongly, with quarterly growth of 0.6% and annual growth of 2.7%.
Eurostat reported a 5.5% quarter-on-quarter rise in Ireland’s GDP. Lithuania’s economy contracted 1% over the same period.
Employment is unchanged across the EU and euro area
The number of people in employment was unchanged from the previous quarter in both the euro area and the EU. Employment had risen 0.1% in each during the second quarter.
Compared with a year earlier, employment increased 0.4% in both areas. That marked a slowdown from 0.5% in the euro area, while the EU’s annual employment growth rate was unchanged.
US quarterly growth reaches 0.8%
US GDP grew 0.8% from the previous three months, up from 0.6% in the second quarter and twice the euro area’s 0.4% pace. Annual US growth slowed to 2.1% from 2.2%, compared with 1.3% in the euro area.
The figures released on 13 November are Eurostat’s preliminary estimates. The next release of detailed GDP and employment data is scheduled for 7 December 2026.
Source: Eurostat, “GDP up by 0.4% and employment stable in the euro area”, 13 November 2026.
Featured image: European Union flags in Brussels. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto.
English adaptation of the Polish original, published on 13 November 2026 at 10:56:31 UTC.
