Eastern Europe / Data
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.
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.
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.
IMF: Global growth is expected to decline and downside risks to intensify as major policy shifts unfold – WEO
After enduring a prolonged and unprecedented series of shocks, the global economy appeared to have stabilized, with steady yet underwhelming growth rates, the International Monetary Fund said in its latest World Economic Outlook.
Russian ruble value surges to become world's best performing currency YTD
The Russian ruble strengthened to RUB82.3 to the dollar on April 16, making it the best performing currency in the world YTD and outperforming other assets like gold as well.
IMF: Migration and refugee policies steer people, and economies, in new directions
When destination countries tighten migration and refugee policies, it has economic ripple effects elsewhere, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a blog. Migration has always been an integral part of humanity’s history and success.
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Russia’s inflation still above 10% in March
Russia's consumer prices rose by 0.65% month on month and 10.3% year on year in March, according to the latest RosStat statistics agency data. (chart)
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Russia posts RUB500bn budget surplus in March but hard landing risks increase
Russia posted a RUB500bn ($5.4bn) federal budget surplus in March 2025 amid falling oil revenues, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Finance.
Russia’s real wages up 9 6.5% in January as growth slows
Real wages grew by a handsome 6.5% y/y in January, according to preliminary Rosstat data just as the economy starts to cool, but it also brings down inflation.
Where the world is charging most tariffs - Statista
The Trump administration's recent move to impose tariffs on Chinese, Mexican and Canadian goods as well as steel and aluminium imports in general is once again breaking with long-standing US trade policy, Statista reports.
Russian service sector output nears stagnation in March posting 50.1
Russia’s service sector came close to stagnation in March, according to the latest S&P Global PMI data, posting 50.1, just a tick above the 50 no-change benchmark. (chart)
Russia defies sanctions with record number of billionaires in Forbes rich list
Russia posted a historic 146 billionaires in this year’s Forbes rich list boasting a combined wealth of $625.5bn – a new record.
Russian manufacturing sector PMI goes into the red for the first time since April 2022, posting 48.2
Russia’s economic slowdown continued with the S&P Global manufacturing PMI going into the red for the first time since April 2022, shortly after the war in Ukraine started, posting 48.2, less than the 50 no=change benchmark.
Global cereal production grows faster than populations, says OWID
The world's population has more than doubled over the last 60 years, but global food production has managed to keep up, Our World in Data (OWID) reports.
Number of foreign-invested companies in Uzbekistan grows by 340 in February to 15,503
China continues to extend lead in ranking of number of companies foreign investors have set up and backed in Central Asia's second largest economy. Russia second, Turkey third.
European defence industry is the global growth laggard, says Statista
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for increased European defence spending under the ReArm Europe plan, but Europe is trailing the other major arms producers badly.
Putin’s approval rating at 80%, trust remains high
Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to enjoy the trust of 83% of the Russian populace, according to a poll by the Public Opinion Foundation.
78% of women in Eastern Europe, Africa and Middle East have ambitions to start a business
Even in war-torn Ukraine, two-thirds of women are considering starting a business as they continue to play a critical role in the wartime economy, says new MasterCard research.
