The Portuguese Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 1.8% in volume, in the first quarter of 2019 (1.7% in the previous quarter). The contribution of domestic demand to the year-on-year GDP rate of change increased, reflecting a significant acceleration of Investment. Net external demand’s contribution was more negative than in the last quarter, as Imports of Goods and Services accelerated more than Exports of Goods and Services.
When compared with the fourth quarter of 2018, GDP increased by 0.5% in real terms (0.4% in the previous quarter). The contribution of domestic demand to quarter-on-quarter GDP rate of change increased, while the contribution of net external demand was more negative than in the previous quarter.