The EU economy continues to grow, albeit with reduced momentum. The forecast revises growth in the EU economy down to 0.8% in 2023, from 1% projected in the Spring Forecast, and 1.4% in 2024, from 1.7%. It also revises growth in the euro area down to 0.8% in 2023 (from 1.1%) and 1.3% in 2024 (from 1.6%).
Inflation is expected to continue to decline over the forecast horizon. Harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) inflation is now projected to reach 6.5% in 2023 (compared to 6.7% in the spring) and 3.2% in 2024 (compared to 3.1%) in the EU. In the euro area, inflation is forecast to be 5.6% in 2023 (compared to 5.8%) and 2.9% in 2024 (compared to 2.8%).
A reduced growth momentum
Latest data confirm that economic activity in the EU was subdued in the first half of 2023 on the back of the formidable shocks that the EU has endured. Weakness in domestic demand, in particular consumption, shows that high and still increasing consumer prices for most goods and services are taking a heavier toll than expected in the Spring Forecast. This is despite declining energy prices and an exceptionally strong labour market, which has seen record low unemployment rates, continued expansion of employment, and rising wages. Meanwhile, the sharp slowdown in the provision of bank credit to the economy shows that monetary policy tightening is working its way through the economy. Survey indicators now point to slowing economic activity in the summer and the months ahead, with continued weakness in industry and fading momentum in services, despite a strong tourism season in many parts of Europe.
The global economy has fared somewhat better than anticipated in the first half of the year, despite a weak performance in China. However, the outlook for global growth and trade remains broadly unchanged compared to spring, implying that the EU economy cannot count on strong support from external demand.
Overall, the weaker growth momentum in the EU is expected to extend to 2024, and the impact of tight monetary policy is set to continue restraining economic activity. However, a mild rebound in growth is projected next year, as inflation keeps easing, the labour market remains robust, and real incomes gradually recover.
European Economic Forecast – Summer 2023
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Inflation to further decline
Inflation continued easing in the first half of 2023 as a result of declining energy prices and moderating inflationary pressures from food and industrial goods. In the euro area, it reached 5.3% in July, exactly half of the peak level of 10.6% recorded in October 2022, and remained stable in August.
Energy prices are set to continue declining for the remainder of 2023, but at a slowing pace. They are projected to increase slightly again in 2024, driven by higher oil prices. Inflation in services has so far been more persistent than previously expected, but it is set to continue moderating as demand softens under the impact of monetary policy tightening and a fading post-COVID boost. The prices of food and non-energy industrial goods will continue contributing to easing inflation over the forecast horizon, also reflecting lower input prices and normalising supply chains.
An outlook challenged by risks and uncertainty
Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and wider geopolitical tensions continue to pose risks and remain a source of uncertainty. Furthermore, monetary tightening may weigh on economic activity more heavily than expected, but could also lead to a faster decline in inflation that would accelerate the restoration of real incomes. By contrast, price pressures could turn out more persistent.
Mounting climate risks, illustrated by the extreme weather conditions and unprecedented wildfires and floods in the summer, also weigh on the outlook.
Summer Economic forecast for Spain 2023
The economic expansion is set to be more subdued in the second half of 2023 due to the fading impetus of the tourism sector, weaker economic activity in main trading partners, the impact of tighter financing conditions on aggregate demand, and softer labour market dynamics. Households’ purchasing power, which is expected to benefit from the maintained easing of price pressures coupled with rising nominal wages, partially mitigates headwinds on private consumption. In addition, the lower leverage of the private sector achieved in recent years and the resilience of the banking sector is set to contribute to the mitigation of financial risks, while the implementation of the RRP is expected to continue supporting investment growth over the forecast horizon.
Overall, GDP growth is expected to reach 2.2% in 2023. This represents an upward revision, by 0.3 pps., compared to the Spring Forecast, reflecting a higherthan-projected carry-over from 2022 and the robust outturn in the first half of 2023. In 2024, real GDP growth is forecast to moderate to 1.9%, 0.1 pps. less than projected in the spring, as the softening of economic activity expected towards the end of the year is set to extend at least into the first half of 2024.
Annual HICP inflation is forecast to moderate to 3.6% in 2023, on the back of the continued deceleration of energy inflation since the third quarter of 2022. A further slowdown to 2.9% is projected for next year despite the upward pressure from the expected phasing out of government measures implemented to mitigate the impact of high energy prices. HICP inflation excluding energy and unprocessed food is set to decline more gradually as the pass-through of high energy prices to other items, especially food and services, lingered throughout the first half of 2023. Second-round effects on wages have been limited so far, despite the moderate pick-up in both nominal and real terms observed in the first half of this year.
More information: European Commission
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