Macroeconomy
Unemployment rate slips to 23.2 pct in Feb, lowest for last five years
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment edged down to 23.2 percent in February from a downward revised rate of 23.3 percent in January, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) labour force survey revealed on Thursday.
EC lowers growth forecasts, sees fiscal targets within reach
The recovery of the Greek economy is expected to restart this year, largely on the back of improving consumer and investor sentiment, the European Commission (EC) noted in its spring economic forecasts published on Thursday.
April produces first fall this year for car sales, which tumbled by 7.5 pct
The number of vehicles going into circulation for the first time dropped by 7.5 percent in April after a surge of 43.5 percent in the previous month, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Wednesday.
CPI increases by 1.6 pct in April
Τhe Greek Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 1.6 percent in April after rising by 1.7 percent in the previous month, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Wednesday.
Industrial production improves by another 8.7 percent in March
The Greek Industrial Production Index (IPI) grew by 8.7 percent in March following an upward revised growth of 11 percent in February, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data revealed on Wednesday.
Net job hirings hit high of 92,132 in April, driving 4-month figure to new record
The employment balance remained positive in April 2017, with net hirings rising to 92,132 from 90,631 last year, data from the Labour Ministry’s Ergani information system revealed on Tuesday.
Deposit interest rates broadly stable in March, average loan rate down slightly
Greek households’ new time deposit rate edged down 1 basis point (bp) to 0.66 percent in March, Bank of Greece (BoG) figures showed on Monday.
Trade deficit soars 36.2 pct in March, largely due to oil products
Greece’s trade deficit continued increased by 36.2 percent in March, more than double the growth rate of 17.7 percent recorded in the previous month, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Monday.
General govt primary cash surplus falls to 1.2 bln in Q1, arrears edge down to 5.05 bln
Greece’s general government (gg) primary cash surplus dropped by 1.17 billion euros to 2.04 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2017 from 3.22 billion a year ago, the Finance Ministry (MoF) gg bulletin revealed on Friday.
Overdue social security contributions climb to 22.5 bln at end of Q1
The stock of unpaid social security contributions (SSCs) jumped to 22.49 billion euros at the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2017 from 17.54 billion at the end of the previous quarter, a bulletin from the Centre for the Collection of Social Security Arrears (KEAO) revealed on Thursday.