Hungary's GDP expanded by 4% in 2004 as a whole, with the economy growing by 4.3% in Q1 2004 and 3.8% in the last quarter of the year. Ecostat noted that leap-year and high base effects should be taken into account when looking at Q1 2005 data. Within economic growth, the manufacturing sector performed below average, which was partly offset by the performance of the services sector.
Eurostat currently publishes flash GDP estimates for the eurozone and the EU-25 within 45 days of the end of the subject period, while among new EU members, only Lithuania provides a flash estimate. Hungary's Central Statistical Office (KSH) has also set the goal of publishing such a flash estimate, with Ecostat to publish the data on a trial basis in 2005, with KSH itself to take over from 2006, if the experience is favorable.
The KSH is set to publish preliminary GDP figures for Q1 on May 31.
