According to Statec, Luxembourg's national statistics office, GDP figures for the euro zone in the 2nd quarter of 2017 confirmed the previous economic growth, particularly in terms of household consumption; the recurrent signals stayed positive overall during the summer months, however the financial markets remained stagnant.
 
The euro-zone GDP rose 0.6% during the quarter two, meaning that the euro zone has now had 17 consecutive quarter growth in addition it is now at a relatively high rate (in comparison to the average rate of 0.4% per quarter) since the end of the recession of early 2013.
 
The results of various Member States point to widespread recovery and improved convergence. Figures published at national level by Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands (the five leading economies in the euro zone accounting for approximately 80% of GDP) can be used to sketch out the components of growth.
 
Household consumption stands out at the main pillar of growth in the 2nd quarter, boosted by an improved labour market and consumer confidence. Investment expediture made less of a contribution to domestic demand, due notably to a technical slowdown in France (where a tax deduction scheme for investments came to an end) but it remains buoyant. The results for the external component (exports less imports) are more contrasted, with the Netherlands, Spain and France putting in the best performance.
 
The opinion surveys in July conducted amongst businesses and households (drawn up using the European Commission's harmonised methodology) continue overall to indicate historically high confidence levels.