Ireland helps to boost euro area growth at start of year

Quarterly growth of nearly 10% in Ireland and a faster-than-anticipated expansion in Germany are chiefly responsible for the eurozone’s better start to the year

The figures for Ireland capture an economy that’s proved resilient — despite severe risks of shocks. File picture

The euro area economy expanded twice as much as previously reported at the start of 2025, as countries including Ireland and Germany saw exports surge in anticipation of US trade tariffs later this year.

First-quarter output rose 0.6% from the previous three months, above the second estimate of 0.3% from mid-May, Eurostat said Friday. While a majority of economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected an upward revision, only two anticipated it to be this strong.