EU28 current account surplus €38.6 bn

The EU28 seasonally adjusted current account of the balance of payments recorded a surplus of €38.6 billion (1.0% of GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2018, up from a surplus of €36.2 billion (0.9% of GDP) in the third quarter of 2018 and down from a surplus of €57.2 billion (1.5% of GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

House prices up by 4.2% in both the euro area and the EU

House prices, as measured by the House Price Index, rose by 4.2% in both the euro area and the EU in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared with the same quarter of the previous year. These figures come from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Hourly labour costs ranged from €5.4 to €43.5 across the EU Member States in 2018

In 2018, average hourly labour costs in the whole economy (excluding agriculture and public administration) were estimated to be €27.4 in the European Union (EU) and €30.6 in the euro area. However, the average masks significant gaps between EU Member States, with the lowest hourly labour costs recorded in Bulgaria (€5.4), Romania (€6.9), Lithuania (€9.0), Hungary (€9.2) and Latvia (€9.3), and the highest in Denmark (€43.5), Luxembourg (€40.6), Belgium (€39.7), Sweden (€36.6), the Netherlands (€35.9) and France (€35.8).

Industrial production down by 0.2% in euro area

In February 2019 compared with January 2019, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 0.2% in the euro area (EA19) and remained unchanged the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January 2019, industrial production grew by 1.9% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU28.

Production in construction up by 3.0% in euro area

In February 2019 compared with January 2019, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector increased by 3.0% in the euro area (EA19) and by 2.3% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January 2019, production in construction fell by 0.8% in the euro area and rose by 0.6% in the EU28.

Annual inflation down to 1.4% in the euro area

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

Euro area international trade in goods surplus €17.9 bn

The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in February 2019 was €183.3 billion, an increase of 4.4% compared with February 2018 (€175.6 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €165.4 bn, a rise of 4.0% compared with February 2018 (€159.0 bn). As a result, the euro area recorded a €17.9 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in February 2019, compared with + €16.5 bn in February 2018. Intra-euro area trade rose to €160.3 bn in February 2019, up by 3.4% compared with February 2018.

Euro area government deficit at 0.5% and EU28 at 0.6% of GDP

In 2018, the government deficit and debt of both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28 decreased in relative terms compared with 2017. In the euro area the government deficit to GDP ratio fell from 1.0% in 2017 to 0.5% in 2018, and in the EU28 from 1.0% to 0.6%. In the euro area the government debt to GDP ratio declined from 87.1% at the end of 2017 to 85.1% at the end of 2018, and in the EU28 from 81.7% to 80.0%.

Government debt down to 85.1% of GDP in euro area

At the end of the fourth quarter of 2018, the government debt to GDP ratio in the euro area (EA19) stood at 85.1%, compared with 86.4% at the end of the third quarter of 2018. In the EU28, the ratio decreased from 81.0% to 80.0%. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, the government debt to GDP ratio fell in both the euro area (from 87.1% to 85.1%) and the EU28 (from 81.7% to 80.0%).

Seasonally adjusted government deficit increased to 1.0% of GDP in the euro area

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the seasonally adjusted general government deficit to GDP ratio stood at 1.0% in the euro area (EA19), an increase compared with 0.5% in the third quarter of 2018. In the EU28, the deficit to GDP ratio stood at 0.9%, an increase compared with 0.5% in the previous quarter.

Employment rate of people aged 20 to 64 in the EU reached a new peak at 73.2% in 2018

In 2018, the employment rate of people aged 20 to 64 in the European Union (EU) stood at 73.2%, up compared with 2017 (72.2%). The Europe 2020 strategy target is to reach a total employment rate for people aged 20 to 64 of at least 75% in the EU by 2020. This objective has been translated into different national targets in order to reflect the situation and possibilities of each Member State to contribute to the common goal.

EU Member States granted protection to more than 300 000 asylum seekers in 2018

The 28 Member States of the European Union (EU) granted protection status to nearly 333 400 asylum seekers in 2018, down by almost 40% from 2017 (533 000). In addition to these, the EU Member States received over 24 800 resettled refugees.

The EU has reached its target for share of persons aged 30 to 34 with tertiary education

Today, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, publishes the most recent data for the EU and its Member States on achievement against the two Europe 2020 education headline targets. The Europe 2020 strategy’s target is that at least 40% of 30-34-year-olds in the European Union (EU) should have completed tertiary education by 2020.

Almost 20 000 unaccompanied minors among asylum seekers registered in the EU in 2018

In 2018, 19 700 asylum seekers applying for international protection in the Member States of the European Union (EU) were considered to be unaccompanied minors. This is down by more than one third compared with 2017 (31 400) and below the 2014 level (23 100), when the first increase was observed after remaining at a relatively constant level of around 12 000 per year between 2008 and 2013. In 2018, at the EU level, unaccompanied minors accounted for 10% of all asylum applicants aged less than 18.

Unemployment rates in the EU regions ranged from 1.3% to 35.1%

More than 80% of the NUTS 2 regions of the European Union (EU) saw their unemployment rate for persons aged 15-74 fall in 2018 compared with 2017. Around 60% recorded a decrease of at least 0.5 percentage points. However, regional unemployment rates continued to vary widely across the EU regions, with the lowest rates recorded in two Czech regions Prague (1.3%) and South-West (1.5%), and Mittelfranken (1.8%) in Germany, followed by two further German regions, Tübingen and Oberpfalz, and Cumbria in the United Kingdom (all 1.9%).

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 fourth quarter of 2018, after an increase of 0.2% in the previous quarter. Household real consumption per capita was stable in the fourth quarter of 2018 as well as in the third quarter of 2018.

GDP up by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU28

Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.4% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.5% in the EU28 during the first quarter of 2019, compared with the previous quarter, according to a preliminary flash estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2018, GDP had grown by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU28.

Euro area unemployment at 7.7%

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.7% in March 2019, down from 7.8% in February 2019 and from 8.5% in March 2018. This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since September 2008.

Industrial producer prices down by 0.1% in euro area

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

Euro area annual inflation up to 1.7%

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 1.7% in April 2019, up from 1.4% in March according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Volume of retail trade unchanged in euro area

In March 2019 compared with February 2019, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade remained unchanged in the euro area (EA19), and increased by 0.3% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 2019, the retail trade volume increased by 0.5% in both the euro area and EU28.

In 2018, CO2 emissions in the EU decreased compared with 2017

Eurostat estimates that in 2018 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion significantly decreased by 2.5% in the European Union (EU), compared with the previous year.

Industrial production down by 0.3% in euro area

In March 2019 compared with February 2019, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.1% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 2019, industrial production fell by 0.1% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU28.

GDP up by 0.4% and employment up by 0.3% in the euro area

Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.4% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.5% in the EU28 during the first quarter of 2019, compared with the previous quarter, according to a flash estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth 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 €22.5 bn

The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in March 2019 was €205.6 billion, an increase of 3.1% compared with March 2018 (€199.5 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €183.1 bn, a rise of 6.0% compared with March 2018 (€172.7 bn).

Production in construction down by 0.3% in euro area

In March 2019 compared with February 2019, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 0.3% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.7% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 2019, production in construction increased by 3.0% in the euro area and by 2.6% in the EU28.

Annual inflation up to 1.7% in the euro area

The euro area annual inflation rate was 1.7% in April 2019, up from 1.4% in March 2019. A year earlier, the rate was 1.2%. European Union annual inflation was 1.9% in April 2019, up from 1.6% in March 2019. A year earlier, the rate was 1.5%. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Euro was the most used currency for EU exports and US dollars for EU imports in 2018

Goods imported and exported by the European Union (EU) can be invoiced in a range of currencies. In 2018, the euro was the most used currency for EU exports with a share of 48% of the total value of goods exported to non-EU countries and a share of 35% invoiced in US dollars. The picture was reversed for imports, with 56% of imports paid in US dollars and around a third in euros (35%). For total trade (exports plus imports) the US dollar (45%) was used slightly more often than the euro (41%).

Household energy prices in the EU increased compared with 2017

On average, household electricity prices in the European Union (EU) increased to €21.1 per 100 kWh (+3.5%), between the second half of 2017 and the second half of 2018. Nevertheless, the average EU household electricity price was only €0.1 per 100 kWh higher than in the second half of 2015, the former peak in the last ten years. Across the EU Member States, household electricity prices in the second half of 2018 ranged from €10 per 100 kWh in Bulgaria to around €30 per 100 kWh in Denmark, Germany and Belgium.

Euro area annual inflation down to 1.2%

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 1.2% in May 2019, down from 1.7% in April according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Looking at the main components of euro area inflation, energy is expected to have the highest annual rate in May (3.8%, compared with 5.3% in April), followed by food, alcohol & tobacco (1.6%, compared with 1.5% in April), services (1.1%, compared with 1.9% in April) and non-energy industrial goods (0.3%, compared with 0.2% in April).

Euro area unemployment at 7.6%

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.6% in April 2019, down from 7.7% in March 2019 and from 8.4% in April 2018. This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since August 2008. The EU28 unemployment rate was 6.4% in April 2019, stable compared with March 2019 and down from 7.0% in April 2018. 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.

Volume of retail trade down by 0.4% in euro area

In April 2019 compared with March 2019, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased 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 March 2019, the retail trade volume remained unchanged in the euro area and increased by 0.3% in the EU28.

Industrial producer prices down by 0.3% in euro area

In April 2019, compared with March 2019, industrial producer prices fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA19) and remained unchanged in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In March 2019, prices decreased by 0.1% in the euro area and remained unchanged in the EU28.

GDP up by 0.4% and employment up by 0.3% in the euro area

GDP growth in the euro area and EU28 Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.4% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.5% in the EU28 during the first quarter of 2019, compared with the previous quarter, according to an estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2018, GDP had grown by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU28.

Industrial production down by 0.5% in euro area

In April 2019 compared with March 2019, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 0.5% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.7% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In March 2019, industrial production fell by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU28.

Euro area job vacancy rate at 2.3%

The job vacancy rate in the euro area (EA19) was 2.3% in the first quarter of 2019, stable compared with the previous quarter and up from 2.1% in the first quarter of 2018, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the EU28, the job vacancy rate was 2.4% in the first quarter of 2019, up from 2.3% in the previous quarter and from 2.2% in the first quarter of 2018.

Annual growth in labour costs at 2.4% in euro area

Hourly labour costs rose by 2.4% in the euro area (EA19) and by 2.6% in the EU28 in the first quarter of 2019, compared with the same quarter of the previous year. In the fourth quarter of 2018, hourly labour costs increased by 2.3% and 2.8% respectively. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Annual inflation down to 1.2% in the euro area

The euro area annual inflation rate was 1.2% in May 2019, down from 1.7% in April 2019. A year earlier, the rate was 2.0%. European Union annual inflation was 1.6% in May 2019, down from 1.9% in April 2019. A year earlier, the rate was 2.0%. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Euro area international trade in goods surplus €15.7 bn

Euro area The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in April 2019 was €192.9 billion, an increase of 5.2% compared with April 2018 (€183.4 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €177.2 bn, a rise of 6.6% compared with April 2018 (€166.3 bn). As a result, the euro area recorded a €15.7 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in April 2019, compared with + €17.1 bn in April 2018. Intra-euro area trade rose to €163.7 bn in April 2019, up by 3% compared with April 2018.

Production in construction down by 0.8% in euro area

In April 2019 compared with March 2019, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 0.8% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.6% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In March 2019, production in construction decreased by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU28.

Wide variation of consumption per capita across EU Member States

Actual Individual Consumption (AIC) is a measure of material welfare of households. Based on first preliminary estimates for 2018, AIC per capita expressed in Purchasing Power Standards (PPS) varied from 56% to 132% of the European Union (EU) average across the Member States.

Price levels of food ranged from 66% of the EU average in Romania to 130% in Denmark in 2018

In 2018, the price level of a comparable basket of food and non-alcoholic beverages across the European Union (EU) was twice as high in the most expensive Member State than in the cheapest one.

Debt mainly held by non-residents in half of the EU Member States

Significant differences can be observed across the European Union (EU) regarding the sector in which government debt is held. Among Member States for which data are available, the share of public debt held by non-residents in 2018 was highest in Cyprus (76%), followed by Latvia (74%) and Lithuania (73%). In contrast, the largest proportion of debt held by the (resident) financial corporations sector was recorded in Denmark (72%), ahead of Sweden (70%) and Italy (65%).

Three quarters of all trips by EU residents are within their own country

In 2017, EU residents made 1.3 billion trips with overnight stays that amounted to almost 6.4 billion nights. The average trip length was 5.1 nights. Compared with 2016, the number of tourism trips by EU residents increased by 4%. Three quarters (73%) of all trips were spent within the country of residence (domestic trips), while one quarter (27%) were abroad (outbound trips), of which 21% to other EU countries and 6% to destinations outside the EU.

Euro area annual inflation stable at 1.2%

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 1.2% in June 2019, stable compared to May, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

How has the EU progressed towards the Sustainable Development Goals?

Sustainable development aims to achieve a continuous improvement in citizens’ quality of life and well-being, without compromising the well-being of future generations. This involves the pursuit of economic progress, while safeguarding the natural environment and promoting social justice.

Euro area unemployment at 7.5%

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.5% in May 2019, down from 7.6% in April 2019 and from 8.3% in May 2018. This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since July 2008. The EU28 unemployment rate was 6.3% in May 2019, down from 6.4% in April 2019 and from 6.9% in May 2018. This is the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since the start of the EU monthly unemployment series in January 2000.

Industrial producer prices down by 0.1% in euro area

In May 2019, compared with April 2019, industrial producer prices fell by 0.1% in the euro area (EA19) and remained unchanged in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In April 2019, prices decreased by 0.3% in the euro area and remained unchanged in the EU28.

Household saving rate up to 12.6% in the euro area

The household saving rate in the euro area was 12.6% in the first quarter of 2019, compared with 12.1% in the fourth quarter of 2018. The household investment rate in the euro area was 9.3% in the first quarter of 2019, compared with 9.2% the previous quarter.

Business investment stable at 23.6% in the euro area

In the first quarter of 2019, the business investment rate was 23.6% in the euro area, stable compared to previous quarter. The business profit share in the euro area was 39.8% in the first quarter of 2019, compared with 40.0% in the fourth quarter of 2018.