Euro area international trade in goods surplus €19.0 bn

The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in November 2018 was €203.0 billion, an increase of 1.9% compared with November 2017 (€199.2 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €184.0 bn, a rise of 4.7% compared with November 2017 (€175.7 bn).

International trade in services in 2017: EU surplus up to over €190 bn

The European Union (EU) surplus in trade in services, which had fallen between 2013 and 2016, increased to €191.8 bn in 2017. This is the result of EU exports of services to the rest of the world rising by 5%, from €870.5 bn in 2016 to €912.4 bn in 2017, while EU imports decreased by 2%, from €732.3 bn to €720.7 bn.

Production in construction down by 0.1% in euro area

In November 2018 compared with October 2018, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA19), while it increased by 0.2% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In October 2018, production in construction fell by 1.6% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU28.

Annual inflation down to 1.6% in the euro area

The euro area annual inflation rate was 1.6% in December 2018, down from 1.9% in November. A year earlier, the rate was 1.4%. European Union annual inflation was 1.7% in December 2018, down from 2.0% in November. A year earlier, the rate was 1.7%. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

House prices up by 4.3% in both the euro area and the EU

House prices, as measured by the House Price Index, rose by 4.3% in both the euro area and the EU in the third quarter of 2018 compared with the same quarter of the previous year. These figures come from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Government debt down to 86.1% of GDP in euro area

At the end of the third quarter of 2018, the government debt to GDP ratio in the euro area (EA19) stood at 86.1%, compared with 86.3% at the end of the second quarter of 2018. In the EU28, the ratio decreased from 81.0% to 80.8%. Compared with the third quarter of 2017, the government debt to GDP ratio fell in both the euro area (from 88.2% to 86.1%) and the EU28 (from 82.5% to 80.8%).

Seasonally adjusted government deficit increased to 0.5% of GDP in the euro area

In the third quarter of 2018, the seasonally adjusted general government deficit to GDP ratio stood at 0.5% in the euro area (EA19), an increase compared with 0.3% in the second quarter of 2018. In the EU28, the deficit to GDP ratio stood at 0.6%, an increase compared with 0.4% in the previous quarter.

Number of nights spent in the EU up by 2% in 2018

In 2018, the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the European Union (EU) is expected to have reached more than 3.1 billion, up by 2.2% compared with 2017. Since 2009, there has been a steady increase in the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the EU, notably driven by the rise in the nights spent by non-residents of the country visited.

Household real income per capita up in the euro area and in the EU28

In the euro area, in real terms, household income per capita increased by 0.3% in the third quarter of 2018, after an increase of 0.4% in the previous quarter. Household real consumption per capita increased by 0.1% in the third quarter of 2018, after an increase of 0.2% in the second quarter of 2018.

Contingent liabilities and non-performing loans in the EU Member States in 2017

Data on contingent liabilities and non-performing loans of EU governments for the year 2017 have been published today by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. This publication includes data on government guarantees, liabilities related to public-private partnerships recorded off-balance sheet of government and liabilities of government controlled entities (public corporations) classified outside general government. Contingent liabilities are only potential liabilities. They may become actual government liabilities if specific conditions prevail.

GDP up by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% the EU28

Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.2% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.3% in the EU28 during the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with the previous quarter, according to a preliminary flash estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the third quarter of 2018, GDP had also grown by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU28.

Euro area unemployment at 7.9%

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.9% in December 2018, stable compared with November 2018 and down from 8.6% in December 2017. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since October 2008. The EU28 unemployment rate was 6.6% in December 2018, stable compared with November 2018 and down from 7.2% in December 2017. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since the start of the EU monthly unemployment series in January 2000. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Euro area annual inflation expected to be 1.4%

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 1.4% in January 2019 according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Industrial producer prices down by 0.8% in both euro area and EU28

In December 2018, compared with November 2018, industrial producer prices fell by 0.8% in both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November 2018, prices decreased by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU28.

More than 95% of children in the EU considered to be in good or very good health

In 2017, more than 95% of children in the European Union (EU) were considered to be in good or very good general health. This percentage changes only slightly by age group, from 96.5% for those aged under five, to 95.9% for those aged five to nine and 95.2% for those aged ten to fifteen. The percentage of children whose general health was considered to be bad or very bad was under 1% for all age groups.

Volume of retail trade down by 1.6% in euro area

In December 2018 compared with November 2018, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 1.6% in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.4% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November, the retail trade volume increased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU28.

Energy consumption in the EU increased by 1% in 2017

In 2017, energy consumption in the European Union (EU) continued to increase for the third consecutive year, thus moving away from the energy efficiency targets. Primary energy consumption amounted to 1 561 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), while final energy consumption reached 1 222 Mtoe. Compared with last year, both levels increased by around 1%.

Share of renewable energy in the EU up to 17.5% in 2017

In 2017, the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, in the European Union (EU), reached 17.5%, up from 17.0% in 2016 and more than double the share in 2004 (8.5%), the first year for which the data are available.

Industrial production down by 0.9% in euro area

In December 2018 compared with November 2018, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 0.9% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.5% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November 2018, industrial production fell by 1.7% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU28.

GDP up by 0.2% and employment up by 0.3% in the euro area

Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.2% in both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28 during the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with the previous quarter, according to a flash estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the third quarter of 2018, GDP had grown by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU28.

Euro area international trade in goods surplus €17.0 bn

The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in December 2018 was €176.5 billion, a decrease of 2.5% compared with December 2017 (€181.0 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €159.5 bn, a rise of 1.9% compared with December 2017 (€156.5 bn).

Production in construction down by 0.4% in euro area

In December 2018 compared with November 2018, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 0.4% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.9% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November 2018, production in construction grew by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU28.

Two-thirds of the EU’s fruit plantation area is concentrated in Spain, Italy and Poland

Almost 1.3 million hectares (ha) of land in the European Union (EU) were covered with fruit trees in 2017. A little over one third of this total was accounted for by apple orchards (473 500 ha, 37%), and another one fifth by orange groves (255 500 ha, 20%). Of the remainder, peach orchards covered 190 500 ha (15%), small citrus fruit trees producing satsumas and clementines in particular covered 139 600 ha (11%), pear trees covered 100 400 ha (8%), apricots covered 75 700 ha (6%) and lemon groves a further 60 100 ha (5%). The area planted with fruit trees accounted for around 1% of utilised agriculture area (173 million ha in 2016).

Annual inflation down to 1.4% in the euro area

The euro area annual inflation rate was 1.4% in January 2019, down from 1.5% in December. A year earlier, the rate was 1.3%. European Union annual inflation was 1.5% in January 2019, down from 1.6% in December. A year earlier, the rate was 1.6%. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Employment grew in 9 out of 10 EU regions in 2017

In 2017, 253 of the EU regions (90%) saw their employment grow. In 26 other regions, the number of persons employed decreased and in a further 2 employment remained stable.

Regional GDP per capita ranged from 31% to 626% of the EU average in 2017

In 2017, regional GDP per capita, expressed in terms of purchasing power standards, ranged from 31% of the European Union (EU) average in the Bulgarian region of North-West, to 626% of the average in Inner London - West in the United Kingdom.

Euro area unemployment at 7.8%

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.8% in January 2019, stable compared with December 2018 and down from 8.6% in January 2018. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since October 2008.

Euro area annual inflation up to 1.5%

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 1.5% in February 2019, up from 1.4% in January, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Industrial producer prices up by 0.4% in euro area

In January 2019, compared with December 2018, industrial producer prices rose by 0.4% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.3% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2018, prices decreased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU28.

Record recycling rates and use of recycled materials in the EU

The recycling rates and use of recycled materials in the in the European Union (EU) are steadily growing. Overall, the EU recycled around 55% of all waste excluding major mineral waste in 2016 (compared with 53% in 2010). The rate for recovering construction and demolition waste reached 89% (2016), the recycling rate of packaging waste exceeded 67% (2016, compared with 64% in 2010) while the rate of plastic packaging was over 42% (2016, compared with 24% in 2005).

Volume of retail trade up by 1.3% in euro area

In January 2019 compared with December 2018, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 1.3% in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.1% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December, the retail trade volume decreased by 1.4% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU28.

EU Member States granted citizenship to over 800 thousand persons in 2017

In 2017, around 825 000 persons acquired citizenship of a Member State of the European Union (EU), down from 995 000 in 2016 and 841 000 in 2015. Of the total number of persons obtaining the citizenship of one of the EU Member States in 2017, 17% were former citizens of another EU Member State, while the majority were non-EU citizens or stateless.

GDP up by 0.2% and employment up by 0.3% in the euro area

Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.2% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.3% in the EU28 during the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with the previous quarter, according to an estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the third quarter of 2018, GDP had grown by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU28.

Only 1 manager out of 3 in the EU is a woman

Nearly 9.4 million persons hold a managerial position in the European Union (EU): 6.0 million men (64% of all managers) and 3.4 million women (36%). In addition, women account for a little over one quarter of board members of publicly listed companies in the EU (27%), and for less than one fifth of senior executives (17%) in 2018. In other words, although representing approximately half of all employed persons in the EU, women continue to be under-represented amongst managers.

Over 5 million births in EU in 2017

In 2017, 5.075 million babies were born in the European Union (EU), compared with 5.148 million in 2016. The total fertility rate in the EU stood at 1.59 births per woman in 2017, compared with 1.60 in 2016. The highest total fertility rate since the start of comparable time series was in 2010 when it reached 1.62, still below the replacement level, which is considered to be 2.1 live births per woman.

Industrial production up by 1.4% in euro area

In January 2019 compared with December 2018, seasonally adjusted industrial production rose by 1.4% in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.0% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2018, industrial production fell by 0.9% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU28.

580 800 first-time asylum seekers registered in 2018, down by 11% compared with 2017

In 2018, 580 800 first-time asylum seekers applied for international protection in the Member States of the European Union (EU), down by 11% compared with 2017 (654 600) and less than half of the number recorded in the peak year 2015 when 1 256 600 first-time asylum applicants were registered. The number of asylum applicants in 2018 is comparable to the level recorded in 2014, before the peaks of 2015 and 2016.

Annual inflation up to 1.5% in the euro area

The euro area annual inflation rate was 1.5% in February 2019, up from 1.4% in January 2019. A year earlier, the rate was 1.1%. European Union annual inflation was 1.6% in February 2019, up from 1.5% in January 2019. A year earlier, the rate was 1.4%. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Highest proportion of government expenditure goes to social protection and health

In 2017, total government expenditure in the European Union (EU) amounted to 45.8% of gross domestic product (GDP). This share has steadily decreased since 2012, when it stood at 48.9% of GDP.

Euro area international trade in goods surplus €1.5 bn

The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in January 2019 was €183.4 billion, an increase of 2.5% compared with January 2018 (€179.0 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €181.8 bn, a rise of 3.4% compared with January 2018 (€175.9 bn).

Euro area and EU28 job vacancy rates at 2.3%

The job vacancy rate in the euro area (EA19) was 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2018, up from 2.1% in the third quarter of 2018 and from 2.0% in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the EU28, the job vacancy rate was also 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2018, up from 2.2% in the third quarter of 2018 and from 2.0% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Production in construction down by 1.4% in euro area

In January 2019 compared with December 2018, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 1.4% in the euro area (EA19) and remained unchanged in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2018, production in construction grew by 1.1% in the euro area and fell by 0.2% in the EU28.

Annual growth in labour costs at 2.3% in euro area

Hourly labour costs rose by 2.3% in the euro area (EA19) and by 2.8% in the EU28 in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with the same quarter of the previous year. In the third quarter of 2018, hourly labour costs increased by 2.5% and 2.6% respectively. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

A third of EU trade is with the United States and China

In 2018, the United States (€674 billion, or 17.1% of total extra-EU trade in goods, i.e. the sum of exports and imports) and China (€605 bn, or 15.4%) continued to be the two main goods trading partners of the European Union (EU), well ahead of Switzerland (€265 bn, or 6.7%), Russia (€254 bn, or 6.4%), Turkey (€153 bn, or 3.9%) and Japan (€135 bn, or 3.4%).

Euro area unemployment at 7.8%

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.8% in February 2019, stable compared with January 2019 and down from 8.5% in February 2018. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since October 2008.

Euro area annual inflation down to 1.4%

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 1.4% in March 2019, down from 1.5% in February according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Industrial producer prices up by 0.1% in euro area

In February 2019, compared with January 2019, industrial producer prices rose by 0.1% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.2% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January 2019, prices increased by 0.3% in both the euro area and the EU28.

Volume of retail trade up by 0.4% in both euro area and EU28

In February 2019 compared with January 2019, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 0.4% in both the euro area (EA19) and EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January, the retail trade volume increased by 0.9% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU28.

Business investment rate up to 23.7% in the euro area

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the business investment rate was 23.7% in the euro area, compared with 23.4% in the previous quarter.

Household saving rate nearly stable at 12.3% in the euro area

The household saving rate in the euro area was 12.3% in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with 12.2% in the third quarter of 2018.