Europe's GDP up, barely, in fourth quarter

BRUSSELS, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The statistical office for the European Union, Eurostat, Friday said the gross domestic product in Europe was nearly flat in the fourth quarter.

The GDP figures, revised from rosier figures released in January, showed economic growth at 0.1 percent in both the 16-member euro zone countries that use the euro as currency and the 27-member European Union compared to the third quarter of 2009.

Eurostat said economic growth compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 was down, 2.1 percent for the euro zone and 2.3 percent for the larger European Union.

For the entire year, Eurostat said the GDP dropped 4 percent in the euro zone, 4.1 percent in the so-called EU27.