Growth was driven by both domestic demand and foreign trade, with consumer spending making the strongest positive contribution to growth. Private consumer demand (including non-profit institutions serving households) increased strongly in the second quarter (+0.5 percent), while public consumption expenditure expanded slightly weaker at 0.3 percent. As in the first quarter, overall consumer demand rose by 0.4 percent.
Business investment has increased, although the pace has slowed. The demand for gross fixed capital formation, which includes equipment, buildings and other fixed assets, expanded by 0.5 percent (first quarter +0.8 percent).
Foreign trade also slowed recently. Exports increased by 0.5 percent (after +0.9 percent in the first quarter). However, with a slightly weaker increase in imports (+0.4 percent after +0.7 percent), foreign trade once again made a positive contribution to overall economic growth.
The industrial economy also continued to lose momentum, mirroring the slowdown in exports. Value added in manufacturing fell by 0.1 percent (first quarter +0.1 percent). The construction industry, on the other hand, continued to record a good economy. Value added rose by 0.3 percent, after +0.5 percent in the first quarter. Positive impetus also came from the service sectors. Market services grew by 0.6 percent, while accommodation and food service activities expanded strongly by 1.1 percent. Value added in wholesale and retail trade increased by 0.4 percent.
