Macroeconomy
IMF expects difficult year for public finances, PBO highlights impact on labour force
The IMF released on Wednesday its Fiscal Monitor report, which compounded the grim picture for Greece on the budget front, after the forecast for a 10 pct in the World Economic Outlook that was published on Tuesday.
Budget primary surplus at 595 mln in March
The budget primary balance recorded a surplus of 595 million euros in the first three months of 2020, compared to a surplus of 1.44 billion noted in March 2019, the preliminary Finance Ministry (MoF) budget execution bulletin showed on Wednesday.
IMF sees 2020 GDP contraction at 10 pct, budget deficit at 9 pct due to virus impact
The IMF released on Tuesday its latest economic estimates in the context of the World Economic Outlook, which has incorporated the impact of what it calls The Great Lockdown that sees global GDP dropping by 3 pct in 2020, subject to various uncertainties.
Building permits increase by 55.7 pct in January
Building permits rose by 55.7 percent year-on-year (YoY) in January compared to a rise of 50.3 percent percent in December, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data released on Monday showed.
CPI unchanged in March YoY, rises by 1.6 pct MoM
Greece’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged year-on-year (YoY) in March compared to a slight increase of 0.2 percent in February, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) figures showed on Friday.
Worst ever negative employment balance recorded in March as virus measures hit
The employment balance turned sharply negative in March with 41,903 more firings than hirings, data from the Labour Ministry’s Ergani information system showed.
Car sales drop by 50.8 pct in March
Road motor vehicles going into circulation for the first time fell sharply by 50.8 percent in February, compared to a rise of 7.7 percent in February, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.
Industrial production falls by 3.4 percent in February
Greece’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) fell by 3.4 percent year-on-year (YoY) in February compared to a revised decrease of 1 percent in January, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data revealed on Thursday.
Unemployment at 16.4 pct in January
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate came to 16.4 percent in January, unchanged from December, Hellenic Statistical Authority’s (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.
General govt primary cash surplus at 1.44 bln in February, arrears up by 133 mln
Greece’s general government (gg) primary cash surplus came to 1.44 billion euros in the first two months of the year, down by 1.49 billion euros compared to the same period last year, according to the Finance Ministry’s (MoF) monthly gg bulletin.