Data
Albania targets 4% growth in 2026
Albania’s economy is continuing to expand on a stable trajectory, with stronger tax collection, rising employment and increased business activity supporting growth, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said.
Uzbekistan's average monthly wage climbs 18% in 1H
The increase extended a multi-year upward trend, with figure now nearly double what it was at the end of 1H22.
Turkmen elites still “robbing” poor with official exchange rate trailing black market sixfold, say critics
Wage billed as worth $1,000 actually worth only $150 to ordinary citizen.
Slovenia's retail sales rise 2.1% y/y in June despite monthly dip
Annual increase supported by growth across all major retail segments.
Analysts split on how far Russia's key rate still has to fall
Russia's central bank cut its key rate for the tenth consecutive time on July 24, by 25 basis points to 14%, while raising its inflation forecast for 2026 to 6-7%. That's a contradiction and no one is clear where rates will go from here.
Iran's monthly inflation halves to 3.6% as annual rate hits 83.9%
Iran's monthly inflation halved to 3.6% in the month to July 22, but the consumer price index stood 83.9% above its year-earlier level. Housing and utilities led the monthly rise. Tobacco was the only category to fall.
China and Russia cement their grip on global manufacturing
China now accounts for roughly 28% of global manufacturing value added, more than any other country or bloc and over triple its share in 2004, according to World Bank data.
North Macedonia keeps key interest rate unchanged at 4.25% as inflation eases
Central bank opts to maintain a cautious monetary policy stance despite a continued slowdown in inflation, citing persistent external risks linked to geopolitical tensions and elevated energy prices.
Global population growth peaked six decades ago - OWID
The increase in the world’s population is not exponential. The global population is growing, but the growth rate has declined since its peak six decades ago.
Russia's central bank cuts rate to 14% in surprise move, lifts inflation forecast to 6%-7%
Russia's central bank cut its key rate by 25bp to 14% on July 24, defying a market consensus for no change, while raising its 2026 inflation forecast to 6%-7% and cutting its GDP growth forecast to 0%-1%.
Russia's central bank sells record 44 tonnes of gold in 1H26
The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) sold a record 44 tonnes of gold in the first half of 2026 — the largest six-month drawdown in at least 25 years.
Romania's public marginally up in April, remains above 60% of GDP
Romania's public debt rose to 60.2% of GDP in April, above the 60% Maastricht threshold, though the monthly increase of RON1.7bn marks a sharp slowdown from the €34bn added across 2025.
Fedorov's popularity surges after sacking as Ukraine protests continue
Trust in Mykhailo Fedorov has surged since President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed him as defence minister on July 15 as part of a surprise government reshuffle, with a new Rating Group poll putting him second only to the former commander-in-chief.
Kosovo trade deficit widens 16.1% to €578.3mn in June
Kosovo's trade deficit widened 16.1% year on year to €578.3mn in June as imports reached €680.3mn against exports of €102mn, leaving export coverage of imports at 15%.
Polish unemployment falls to 5.8% in June, remains higher year on year
Poland’s unemployment rate rose 0.7pp year on year (y/y) to 5.8% in June, the country’s statistical office GUS said on July 23.
Albania new business registrations rise 7.5% in first half, foreign-owned firms up 35.7%
Albania registered 11,567 new businesses in the first half of 2026, up 7.5% y/y, with fully foreign-owned company registrations jumping 35.7% to 1,240. Real estate led sectoral growth at 35.8%, while Tirana took over half of all new entities.
Turkey announces fourth straight hold on policy rate at 37%
As energy prices rise on renewed fighting in the Middle East, lingering hopes of monetary easing in the months ahead could be dashed.
IMF clears $690mn tranche for Ukraine, but the budget still short $20bn this year.
The IMF Executive Board has completed the first review of Ukraine's Extended Fund Facility (EFF), clearing the way for a $690mn disbursement that will lift total financing under the programme to $2.2bn, Ukraine's Ministry of Finance said on July 21.
Russia overtakes Germany as Europe's biggest beer brewer
Russia has overtaken Germany to become Europe's largest beer producer, brewing 9.01bn litres in 2025 against Germany's 7.92bn litres, according to the latest annual report from BarthHaas, the Nuremberg-based hop trader and brewing-industry analyst.
Kremlin lowers Duma election turnout, vote targets
Russia's Presidential Administration has lowered its targets for turnout and United Russia's vote share in September's State Duma election, climbing down from the 50% turnout and 55% party-support benchmarks set in February.