The slowdown was particularly marked in the Euro area and the European Union, where growth slowed to 0.2% compared to 0.8% in the previous quarter. In Germany, GDP growth slowed to 0.1% compared to 1.3% in the previous quarter, and in France, growth was 0.0% compared to 0.9% in the previous quarter. In the United Kingdom, GDP growth slowed to 0.2% compared to 0.5% in the previous quarter. In contrast, GDP growth picked up to 0.3% in Italy and the United States, compared to 0.1% in the first quarter. In the United States however, latest estimates for the first quarter reflect a significant downward revision from the earlier estimates of 0.5% released in June.
GDP continued to contract in Japan but at a slower rate than in the previous quarter (minus 0.3% compared to minus 0.9%).
Relative to a year earlier, GDP increased by 1.6% in the second quarter of 2011 in the OECD area, down from 2.4% in the previous quarter. Among the Major Seven* economies, Germany recorded the highest rate (2.7%) and Japan the lowest (minus 0.9%).
