Eurozone economy grows 0.3% in Q4 2015, unchanged vs Q3: Eurostat

Brussels, Feb 12, 2016 (AFP) - The eurozone economy grew 0.3 per cent in the last three months of 2015, unchanged from the previous quarter and in line with analyst forecasts, official data showed Friday.

Analysts said the 0.3 per cent gain for the fourth quarter was "something of a relief" after recent weak data suggested the economy was faltering amid global market turmoil and increasing concerns over the outlook for China.

For all 2015, the 19-nation eurozone expanded 1.5 per cent, the Eurostat statistics agency said.

The European Commission last week said it expected 2015 growth at 1.6 percent.

Among the major eurozone economies, Germany gained 0.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, unchanged from the third, while France slowed to 0.2 per cent from 0.3 per cent.

Italian growth also slowed, to just 0.1 per cent from 0.2 per cent as Spain led the pack with another gain of 0.8 per cent.

Outside the eurozone, Britain rose to 0.5 per cent from 0.4 per cent.

For the full 28-nation European Union, the economy gained 0.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, down from 0.4 per cent in the third, and expanded 1.8 per cent for the year.

AFP