About: economic growth

WTO foresees global trade halved in 2019

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has lowered its global trade growth forecasts for 2019 to 1.2%, compared with its earlier 2.6% prediction issued last spring, with South and Central America bucking the downward global trend. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.

Global growth continues to weaken, World Bank report confirms

After the IMF and the OECD, the World Bank has also cut its 2019 growth forecasts. Uncertainties over trade and investment are at the root of this slowdown, which is also affecting the eurozone. EURACTIV France reports.

German economy expected to grow despite Brexit risks, minister says

Britain’s impending departure from the European Union poses a big risk, but domestic demand is still fuelling growth in the German economy, Europe’s largest, economy minister Peter Altmaier said in an interview published on Thursday (3 January).

Italy’s economy minister: Lower growth, higher deficit next year

Italy on Wednesday (8 August) cut its forecasts for economic growth and said the country's public deficit this year and in 2019 would be larger than previously forecast, potentially lining it up for a clash with Brussels.

IMF concerned over global trade war

The International Monetary Fund continues to project global growth at 3.9%  in 2018, but a rise in trade tensions “are an important downside risk”. EURACTIV’s partner La Tribune reports.

EU-backed programme promotes decentralisation of politics in Ukraine

After centuries of being dependent on a central power, the villages of Ukraine are starting to feel the benefits of self-governance thanks to a European Union-backed program called U-LEAD, which has already tripled rural resources and boosted sleepy economies. EURACTIV's media partner efe-epa reports.

Russia’s economy: Still dependent on oil

After two years of recession caused by lower oil prices and western sanctions, Russia’s recovery benefits Vladimir Putin who is seeking a new term of office.  However this improvement won’t last long without a structural reform. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Ethiopia’s prime minister resigns to smooth path for political reform

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn suddenly resigned yesterday (15 February) in what he described as a bid to smooth reforms, following years of violent unrest that threatened the ruling party’s hold on Africa’s second most populous nation.

Strong euro worries Europe’s exporters, but little risk to growth

Some European exporters are beginning to worry about the strengthening euro which has rebounded from near parity with the dollar after Donald Trump's election, though analysts see little immediate risk to growth.

Falling investment spells trouble ahead for UK economy

Strong domestic consumption and a helping hand to exports from a weaker pound have sustained the growth of the British economy. But a downturn in investment paints a darker picture for the future. EURACTIV France reports.

Commission worried Romania will miss 2017 deficit target

The European Commission is still concerned that Romania will go from registering the highest growth in the EU to racking up the biggest budget deficit. But Bucharest insists there is no cause for concern. EURACTIV Romania reports.

EU-ASEAN trade talks show signs of life

The European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said today (10 March) the two blocs would try to revive plans for a trade deal, as European countries look to tap the region's strong growth.

European recovery gains momentum despite ‘Trump effect’

The European Commission is expected to revise upwards its growth forecast for Europe on Monday (13 February), showing a marked improvement over its last outlook published hours after Donald Trump was elected US president.

Chinese president defends globalisation, rebuffs protectionism

As world leaders gathering in Davos on Tuesday (17 January) tried to make sense of recent economic and political turmoil, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a fervent case for globalisation.

Eurozone manufacturing: Fresh data shows steady recovery

The year's first economic numbers show encouraging signs that the eurozone’s economic recovery is steady and moving in the right direction, despite gloomy predictions.

Commission cuts growth forecast for both EU and eurozone in 2017

Europe’s economy will grow less than initially expected as domestic and global risks have intensified, mainly in the wake of the UK referendum and the increased opposition to globalisation.

Commission backs French labour law reforms

Vladis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for the Euro and Social Dialogue, has welcomed France's controversial labour law reforms, which directly respond to the EU executive's criticisms of the French economy. EURACTIV France reports.

Businesses divided over French labour law reform

French business leaders are growing more concerned about the country’s economic outlook. A proposed set of labour reforms has split bosses into two camps. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.

Renzi tells Merkel: ‘Budget flexibility was a promise’

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi insisted on Friday that the EU's budget rules should be interpreted flexibly and that austerity should not be seen purely as an end in itself.

Czech firms face soaring job vacancies as economy ‘growing like crazy’

Czech job vacancies soared above 100,000 in August for the first time since 2008, as many companies struggle to find enough qualified staff in a bustling economy with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.

OECD: France must reform labour market and cut spending

Labour market rigidity and excessive public spending are among the issues holding back France’s economic recovery, according to an OECD report. EURACTIV France reports. 

Washington calls on EU to avoid ‘lost decade’ of low growth

The United States yesterday (12 November) stepped up calls on European policymakers to do more to avoid a "lost decade" of low growth, saying steps taken by the European Central Bank may not be sufficient on their own.

Belgium outranks Germany on innovation, study finds

The innovative strength of the German economy has slipped in 2014, according to a recent study by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), meanwhile confirming that Switzerland remains the most innovative economy in the world. EURACTIV Germany reports.

US warns Europe on deflation, calls on Germany to act

The United States renewed a warning that Europe risks falling into a downward spiral of falling wages and prices on Wednesday (15 October), saying recent actions by the European Central Bank may not be enough to ward off deflation.