Data
Russian manufacturing downturn eases with PMI of 49.3 in April, slightly up from March, but still underwater
Slowdown in output and new sales was attributed to continued subdued demand in both domestic and international markets.
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PMI shows ongoing expansion in Kazakh manufacturing sector in April
Business activity said to remain in the optimistic zone, but the index has declined to a 14-month low.
Poland’s manufacturing conditions improve for third consecutive month in April but outlook weakens
Poland's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) eased by 0.5 points to 50.2 in April (chart), the economic intelligence company S&P Global said on May 2.
Global press freedom indicator slips – Statista
This year's World Press Freedom Index highlights the economic situation of journalists and media organizations being a major risk to press freedom.
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Czech PMI inches up to 48.9 in April
The seasonally adjusted Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled monthly by the market intelligence company S&P Global, posted 48.9 in April (chart).
PMI shows Turkish manufacturing stayed in doldrums in April, but some signs of improvement noted
Rate of input cost inflation quickened to fastest for a year amid currency weakness and higher raw material costs
Turkey’s reserves head to minus territory, lira flat and bond yields break records
Economy experiencing unprecedented portfolio outflows described by one analyst as almost apocalyptic.
Turkey ranked 17th largest military spender in 2024 by Sipri
9% annual rise in global spending steepest recorded since at least end of Cold War.
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Czech economy grows by 2% in Q1, according to preliminary estimate
Czechia's gross domestic product grew by 2% year on year and by 0.5% quarter on quarter in the first quarter of this year (chart), according to the preliminary estimate released by the Czech Statistical Office.
Hungary’s economy contracts in Q1, casting doubt on government’s growth targets
Hungary’s economy stagnated in Q1 2025 and fell 0.4% year on year (chart) according to seasonally adjusted data, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s earlier pledges of a growth “explosion” at the start of the year.
Sharp drop in Polish inflation paves way for rate cut at next central bank meeting
A sharper-than-expected fall in Polish inflation has increased the likelihood that the National Bank of Poland will resume interest rate cuts at next week’s policy meeting.
Falling Polish interest rates will squeeze banks' income
Two dozen Polish banks will need to seek new sources of income and diversify their portfolios in 2025 as falling interest rate squeeze their net interest income, the Polish Bank Association warned, PAP reported on April 29.
Global military spending surges to $2.7 trillion – Statista
Global military spending hit $2.7 trillion last year, according to the latest data by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Statista reports.
The countries losing population fastest – Statista
In 2023, Ukraine was the country losing population the fastest as the Russian invasion is driving its citizens from their homeland in scores.
The state of global fertility – Statista
South Korea, together with Hong Kong, Macau and Puerto Rico, is one of only a few places in the world with a fertility rate below 1, data by the World Bank shows, Statista reports.
Uzbekistan’s 1Q gold exports jump to $3.6bn as world prices hit record levels
Billion-dollar surge recorded. Shipments of precious metal account for 44% of country's overall export volume.
Russia’s unemployment stays at record 2.4% low in 2M25
Russia’s unemployment rate remained at a historic post-Soviet low of 2.4% in the first two months of 2025, according to Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, who credited job creation and rising incomes for the improvement in labour market conditions.
Istanbul-listed Koc makes Top 20 for first time in Global 500 Family Business ranking
Claims 19th position with $68bn in revenues.
Russia’s CBR keeps key interest rate at 21%
The board of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) resolved to keep the key interest rate unchanged at 21% at the policy meeting of April 25, according to the press-release of the regulator.
World Bank cuts Romania's growth forecast to lowest in the region for 2025 and 2026
The World Bank has sharply revised downward its economic growth projections for Romania, now expecting GDP to grow by just 1.3% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026.