services growth — services growth — Bulgaria and Greece recorded impressive monthly growth in services output during April 2026, according to Eurostat, with Bulgaria seeing a rise of 1.5 per cent and Greece following closely at 1.6 per cent.
- However, not all sectors fared well; real estate activities saw a decline of 0.2 per cent, while administrative and support services dipped by 0.3 per cent.
Services growth: Continued Expansion in the Euro Area
Seasonally adjusted figures indicate that services production in the euro area grew by 0.7 per cent in April, building on a previous increase of 0.1 per cent in March. Similarly, the European Union reported a 0.3 per cent uptick in services output for April, following a 0.4 per cent rise in March.
Year-on-Year Comparisons Show Robust Growth
Year-on-year comparisons reveal a consistent annual growth rate of 1.8 per cent in both the euro area and the European Union, compared to April 2025. This sustained growth highlights the resilience of the services sector across Europe.
Sector-Specific Gains
Within the euro area, the transportation and storage sector achieved the most notable monthly gain, soaring by 1.5 per cent. Professional, scientific and technical activities also contributed positively, increasing by 1.3 per cent. Other sectors such as information and communication and accommodation and food services registered smaller gains of 0.6 per cent and 0.1 per cent, respectively.
However, not all sectors fared well; real estate activities saw a decline of 0.2 per cent, while administrative and support services dipped by 0.3 per cent.
European Union Trends Align with Euro Area
Similar trends were observed in the European Union, where the transportation and storage sector increased by 1.0 per cent and professional, scientific and technical activities rose by 1.1 per cent. Nonetheless, the EU experienced a slight decline in accommodation and food services by 0.1 per cent, a 0.6 per cent drop in real estate activities, and a 0.2 per cent dip in administrative and support services.
Belgium Takes the Lead
On a national level, Belgium emerged as the frontrunner with a remarkable 2.1 per cent increase in services output. This was followed by Greece and Bulgaria, demonstrating the strong performance of both nations within the context of broader EU growth.
Annual Growth Highlights
Annual performance analysis showcases Bulgaria’s exceptional growth, marking a 9.3 per cent increase in services output, the highest within the EU. Estonia and Poland also reported notable growth figures at 6.4 per cent and 6.0 per cent, respectively. Conversely, Romania experienced the largest annual decline at 5.8 per cent, followed by Denmark and Luxembourg.
Looking Forward
The data from Eurostat underscores the dynamic nature of the services sector within Europe, revealing both strengths and weaknesses across various segments. As economies recover and adapt, it will be vital to monitor these trends and their implications for future growth.
