Seasonally adjusted first-quarter GDP decreased by 0.2 percent in the eurozone and by 0.1 percent in the European Union (EU), compared with the previous quarter, according to an estimate published on Friday by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, GDP had increased by 0.2 percent quarter-on-quarter in both the eurozone and the EU, according to Eurostat.
On an annualized basis, the EU economy grew by 0.7 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2026, while economy in the 19-member eurozone saw a 0.3-percent increase compared with the same period last year. Both figures were lower than the respective growth rates of 1.4 percent and 1.2 percent in the previous quarter, indicating a slowdown in Europe's economic growth momentum. According to Eurostat, the most noteworthy figures came from Ireland, where the economy contracted by 12.1 percent quarter on quarter and 16.8 percent year on year in the first three months of 2026, becoming a significant factor dragging down the overall economic performance of the eurozone.
Analysts believe that the situation in the Middle East has significantly driven up oil and natural gas prices, dealing a major blow to Europe which is heavily dependent on energy imports. At present, the eurozone is facing the risk of stagflation -- a combination of stagnant economic growth and rising prices.
First-quarter GDP decrease in EU, eurozone: Eurostat
First-quarter GDP decrease in EU, eurozone: Eurostat
First-quarter GDP decrease in EU, eurozone: Eurostat
Global journalists gained a firsthand look at the groundbreaking technological innovations that are reshaping China's tech future, as they embarked on a media tour in east China's Zhejiang Province.
Nearly 70 media representatives from countries including the United States, Singapore, and Brazil joined the tour, visiting the headquarters of several ambitious tech companies in the province.
At a company called BrainCo, the visitors witnessed a brain-computer interface enabling a disabled staff member to control prosthetic fingers with ease, and even practice calligraphy.
"I control it just like my own hand. Every finger moves. It’s intuitive. No delay," said the staff member.
The demonstration left a deep impression on the international journalists.
"I think this area, and specifically the the brain area, is one of the most exciting fields China is working on right now. There's all these expectations that China will deliver a lot of answers to many people around the world," said Nelson Pancini De Sa, a reporter for Universo Online, a Brazilian web content, products, and services company.
The media tour highlighted Zhejiang's strategy for integrating technological and industrial innovation. Unitree Robotics, based in Hangzhou, produces 60 to 70 percent of the world's quadruped robot shipments.
"Unitree has unveiled the H2 Plus, a next-generation humanoid robot reference design. It launches in the second half of this year, giving humanoid robots a more powerful 'smart brain,'" said Huang Jiawei, marketing director of Unitree Robotics.
Journalists also observed how China's humanoid robot makers are shifting their focus from showmanship to real-world applications. Some companies emphasized their potential in elderly care.
"I thought that it's quite interesting that they are looking at these humanoid robots and training them to specifically address the needs of older people who are living alone, which I thought is an interesting space to look out for," said Ananth Krishnan, a reporter with The Hindu, an Indian news agency.
Int'l media representatives dig through China's tech sector in Zhejiang
