The first estimate of the EU27 external current account recorded a deficit of €27bn in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with a deficit of €59.4bn in the fourth quarter of 2008 and a deficit of €27.7bn in the third quarter of 2009.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, the EU27 external balance of trade in services recorded a surplus of €14.1bn, compared with a surplus of €21.7bn in the fourth quarter of 2008 and a surplus of €16.7bn in the third quarter of 2009.

These provisional data, issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, will be subject to revision.