The EU says economic growth in the eurozone shrank by two-tenths of one percent in the third quarter, following a similar decline in the previous quarter.
Within the eurozone, Germany and Italy are now in recession, joining Spain and Ireland. But France issued data Friday showing its economy grew slightly (one-tenth of one percent) in the third quarter.
Hong Kong says it has also slipped into recession in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, leaders from the world's 20 biggest and emerging economies are converging on Washington for talks on the crisis. U.S. President George Bush will host the visiting leaders at the White House late today, before they hold formal talks on Saturday.
Despite news of growing recession in Europe and Asia, markets in both those regions gained ground in today's trading sessions.
Markets in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney and Wellington also closed higher, while Europe's key indexes in London, Paris and Frankfurt are also showing gains.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. Reported by VOA.
