Euro zone economic growth strengthened in the second quarter of 2026, with gross domestic product (GDP) rising 1.0% year-over-year, up from 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026. The latest figures, updated on 30 July 2026, point to a notable acceleration in the bloc’s recovery momentum.
Both the current and previous readings compare economic output with the same quarter a year earlier, showing that growth has picked up markedly as the year has progressed. The improvement from 0.3% to 1.0% suggests that the euro zone economy is gaining traction after a subdued start to 2026, potentially easing concerns about stagnation and providing a more supportive backdrop for policymakers and investors.