Press Release: Commission slightly increases growth forecast in the EU for 2006; confirms forecast for euro area

The European Commission expected economic growth in 2006 to reach 2.2% in the European Union and 1.9% in the euro area, up from 1.5% and 1.3% in 2005. Compared to the autumn 2005 forecast, output growth in the EU was revised upward by 0.1 percentage points, while the forecast for the euro area remained unchanged. These figures were the result of an interim forecast. Interim forecasts were to be published regularly in between the comprehensive autumn and spring forecasts to provide a more up-to-date picture of trends in the European economy. This was the first interim forecast to be published, 21.2.06.

• Primary Source