Macroeconomy
Primary balance at 3.25 bln in Apr, above target thanks to favourable timing
The budget primary balance recorded a surplus of 3.25 billion euros in April, according to the preliminary budget execution data released by the Finance Ministry (MoF) on Wednesday.
EC makes minor adjustment to growth forecast, at 2.2 pct for 2024
The European Commission published on Wednesday the spring forecasts and the growth outlook for Greece, which remained broadly unchanged with growth seen at 2.2 pct in 2024 and 2.3 pct next year.
Import price index up by 1.3 pct YoY in Mar for first rise in 13 months
Greece’s import price index resumed growth in March, rising by 1.3 percent year-on-year (YoY), after dropping by 2.8 percent in February, according to data released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) on Tuesday.
CPI at 3.1 pct in Apr as food inflation refuses to drop
The growth in Greece’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) was essentially unchanged in April, with a rise of 3.1 percent year-on-year (YoY), after an increase of 3.2 percent in March, according to the data released on Tuesday by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
Industrial production records first contraction since Aug 2023, down 0.6 pct in Mar
Greece’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) turned negative in March with a contraction of 0.6 percent year-on-year (YoY), after a significant slowdown to 1.6 percent in the previous month, according to Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data released on Friday.
Trade deficit narrows in Mar, but exports drop by worrying 11.7 pct
Greece’s trade deficit recorded a drop of 7 percent year-on-year (YoY) in March, after a sharp rise of 34 percent year-on-year (YoY) in February, according to data released by ELSTAT on Friday.
OECD sees growth stable at 2 pct this year, urges reforms and fiscal discipline
In its latest economic outlook, the OECD is slightly more optimistic about Greece’s growth prospects, although it warns that there is no room for complacency as the economy’s structural challenges need to be addressed and the public spending the economy requires will lose the boost it had received from the RRF when the scheme concludes in 2026.
Jobless rate falls to 10.2 pct in Mar amid expectations for strong tourism
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate moved closer to the 10-percent mark again in March, landing at 10.2 percent, from 11.4 percent in the previous month, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.
Manufacturing continues to expand in April, firms remain optimistic
Greece’s Manufacturing PMI remained in expansion in April, though it dropped to 55.2 points from 56.9 points in March, according to S&P Global data released on Wednesday.
Stability Programme revises growth down to 2.5 pct as investment estimates prove too rosy
Greece submitted on Tuesday to the European Commission the 2024 Stability Programme, making it the first official document in which the Greek authorities have revised down their initial growth outlook for the year.