In the third quarter of 2021, GDP had grown by 2.3% in the euro area and by 2.2% in the EU. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 4.6% in the euro area and by 4.8% in the EU in the fourth quarter of 2021, after +3.9% in the euro area and +4.1% in the EU in the previous quarter. According to a first estimation of annual growth for 2021, based on seasonally and calendar adjusted quarterly data, GDP increased by 5.2% in both the euro area and the EU. The number of employed persons increased by 0.5% in both the euro area and the EU in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with the previous quarter. In the third quarter of 2021, employment had increased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, employment increased by 2.1% in both the euro area and the EU in the fourth quarter of 2021, after +2.1% in both areas in the third quarter of 2021. According to a first estimation of annual growth for 2021, based on quarterly data, employment increased by 1.1% in the euro area and 1.2% in the EU.