In the United States, GDP increased by 1.3% during the first quarter of 2006. In Japan GDP grew by 0.5% in the first quarter. 

Compared to the first quarter of 2005, GDP rose by 3.6% in the US and by 3.0% in Japan. 

Euro area GDP grew by 0.6% and EU25 GDP by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2006, compared to the previous quarter, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.In the fourth quarter of 2005, growth rates were +0.3% in the euro area and +0.4% in the EU25.

Compared to the first quarter of 2005, GDP rose by 1.9% in the euro area and by 2.2% in the EU25, after +1.7% and +1.9% respectively in the previous quarter.

During the first quarter of 2006, household final consumption expenditure increased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU25 (after +0.1% and +0.3% in the fourth quarter 2005). Investments grew by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU25 (after +0.2% in both zones). Exports rose by 3.1% in the euro area and by 3.6% in the EU25 (after +0.7% and +1.1%). Imports increased by 2.5% in the euro area and by 3.4% in the EU25 (after +1.3% and +1.5%). 

Euro area: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland.