**Bulgaria and Greece Record Highest Monthly Growth in Services Output**
In April 2026, Bulgaria and Greece emerged as leaders in services output growth within the European Union, as reported by Eurostat. The seasonally adjusted services production in the euro area increased by 0.7 percent, while the European Union experienced a growth of 0.3 percent during the same period. This upward trend follows the modest gains recorded in March 2026, where services production grew by 0.1 percent in the euro area and 0.4 percent in the EU.
On an annual basis, services production saw a notable increase of 1.8 percent in both the euro area and the EU compared to April 2025, indicating a positive trajectory for the sector. The transportation and storage sector within the euro area reported the most significant monthly gain, rising by 1.5 percent. This was closely followed by professional, scientific, and technical activities, which recorded a 1.3 percent increase. Other sectors, such as information and communication, grew by 0.6 percent, while accommodation and food services saw a slight increase of 0.1 percent.
However, not all sectors experienced growth. The euro area noted a decline in real estate activities by 0.2 percent and a 0.3 percent decrease in administrative and support services. Similar trends were observed across the broader European Union, where transportation and storage grew by 1.0 percent, and professional, scientific, and technical activities rose by 1.1 percent. In contrast, the EU faced a 0.1 percent decline in accommodation and food services, a 0.6 percent drop in real estate activities, and a 0.2 percent decrease in administrative and support services.
When examining the performance of individual member states, Belgium recorded the highest monthly increase at 2.1 percent, followed closely by Greece at 1.6 percent and Bulgaria at 1.5 percent. These figures highlight the robust recovery and growth potential of the services sector in these countries. Conversely, Hungary experienced the most significant monthly decrease at 13.9 percent, with Denmark and the Netherlands following with declines of 3.2 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively.
In terms of annual performance, the information and communication sector in the euro area showed remarkable growth, achieving a 5.9 percent increase. Bulgaria distinguished itself in the annual comparison across the EU, reporting the highest increase in production at 9.3 percent. Estonia and Poland also demonstrated strong growth, with increases of 6.4 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively. On the other hand, the largest annual decreases were recorded in Romania at 5.8 percent, Denmark at 5.3 percent, and Luxembourg at 2.9 percent.
The latest data from Eurostat reflects a mixed landscape for the services sector across Europe, with certain countries like Bulgaria and Greece demonstrating strong growth potential, while others face challenges. As the economic recovery continues to unfold, monitoring these trends will be essential for understanding the future trajectory of the services industry within the EU.