Economy
OECD finds tax cuts linked to pandemic helped reduce wedge on labour
The Greek government came into office in 2019 promising tax cuts and the adoption of the Stability and Growth Pact escape clause by the eurozone during the pandemic allowed New Democracy to reduce the tax wedge on labour, along with 43 billion euros of Covid-related relief over 2020 and 2021.
Enhanced surveillance concludes, but more reforms and tougher fiscal targets lie ahead
The final report linked to the reviews that formed part of the enhanced surveillance framework Greece has been operating under since the summer of 2018, was released yesterday, signaling the end of another chapter in the Greek crisis.
Removal of restrictions boosts travel receipts in Mar
Greece’s travel balance recorded a surplus of 77 million euros in March, from 63 million euros in February, according to Bank of Greece (BoG) data released on Monday.
Growth in industrial turnover continues in Mar as manufacturing, petroleum products lead 38.3 pct rise
Greece’s industrial turnover growth remained strong in March, rising by 38.3 percent year-on-year (YoY), from a slightly upwards revised 34 percent in February, according to data released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) on Friday.
Current account deficit deepens in Mar, reaching 6.45 bln for Q1
Greece posted a current account (C/A) deficit of 2.33 billion euros in March, from a deficit of 2.12 billion euros in February, Bank of Greece (BoG) data showed on Friday.
Public debt jumps by more than 6 bln in Q1, nearing 395 bln in total
Greece’s central government debt increased by more than 6 billion euros in the first quarter of 2022 to 394.55 billion euros, from 388.34 billion euros in the final quarter of last year, the Finance Ministry's (MoF) debt bulletin showed on Thursday.
Central govt cash balance records surplus of 714 mln in April, improves by 5 bln YoY in first four months
Greece’s central government recorded a primary cash surplus of 714 million euros in April, from a deficit of 2.23 billion euros in the same month of 2021, according to figures released by the Bank of Greece on Wednesday.
Labour market on mend as March unemployment rate eases to 12.2 pct
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate dropped marginally to 12.2 percent in March, from a slightly downward revised 12.7 percent in February, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Wednesday.
Incorporating impact of Ukraine war, EC revises growth forecast down to 3.5 pct
In its spring forecasts, published on Monday, the European Commission incorporated the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the growth outlook for the eurozone, with the Greek growth rate for this year now revised down to 3.5 pct, from the 4.9 pct included in the winter forecast published in February.
Tourism jobs deliver highest April hiring balance on record at 124,365
Greece’s employment balance made a remarkable recovery in April after two subdued, pandemic-impacted years as 124,365 more hirings than departures were recorded, according to data from the Labour Ministry’s Ergani information system.