Southeast Europe / Data
Young Bulgarians turn to stocks over real estate, survey shows
Real estate remains the most popular option overall but younger investors are leading a shift towards stock market investing, says survey commissioned by Revolut.
Inflation wipes out wage gains in Romania as real incomes decline
Romanian households saw their purchasing power shrink in July as inflation outpaced wage growth.
Two thirds of Germans fear a Russian invasion fuelling far-right election gains in western heartland
Public anxiety over a potential Russian attack on Nato territory has surged in Germany following the recent drone incursion on September 10 into Polish airspace that coincided with sharp gains by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Poll shows far-right opposition party AUR's support above 40% in Romania
Combined score of Romania's ruling coalition parties now only slightly ahead of AUR and fellow far-right parties.
Inflation in Moldova eases to 7.3% y/y in August
Inflation falls to the lowest level since prices suddenly rose in January, prompted by a crisis in the electricity system after Russia cut its deliveries overnight.
Bulgaria’s life expectancy lowest in the EU, says Eurostat
Life expectancy at birth in Bulgaria stood at 75.9 years in 2024, well below the EU average of 81.7 years.
India, China, Europe, all face population declines by the end of the century – OWID
This chart tracks the UN’s latest demographic projections for four large populations: India, China, Europe, and the United States. Together, they account for about half of today’s world population, Our World in Data (OWID) reports.
Romania’s retail sales rise 5.3% y/y in July, ahead of expected slowdown
Recent VAT and excise duty hikes as well as slower household income growth to weigh on consumption.
North Macedonia’s GDP growth accelerates to 3.4% in 2Q25
Data point to a steady recovery of the Macedonian economy, supported by construction and services, but tempered by a widening trade gap.
Nato’s Zeitenwende to reach 2% spending goal – Statista
New data released last week by Nato exemplifies how profoundly the realities of foreign relations have changed over the course of the past three years, Statista reports.
Romania’s manufacturing PMI rises to 14-month high but outlook remains weak
Despite the improvement, the index remained below the neutral 50 threshold for the fifteenth consecutive month, signalling ongoing contraction.
Albania’s Q2 power imports jump 16.5% as hydro output declines
Hydropower typically supplies nearly all of Albania’s electricity, leaving the Balkan country highly exposed to rainfall fluctuations.
EU commits to huge increase in energy imports from US - Statista
One of the key components of the trade deal that the European Union and the US agreed upon on July 27 is the EU’s commitment to massively ramp up energy imports from the United States, Statista reports.
Moldova’s trade deficit widens 37% y/y in Q2 as imports surge and exports fall
Widening trade gap weighs on Moldova’s balance of payments and adds pressure to the current account deficit.
Kosovo’s central bank projects solid GDP growth of 4.1% in 2025 despite external risks
The projections follow a period of robust growth, driven by household consumption, investment and exports.
Moldova cuts policy rate by 25 bp to 6.25% to support economic recovery
Decision follows a two-step rate increase in January and February prompted by rising energy prices.
Romania expected to hold policy rate at 6.5% until at least Q1 2026
Analysts forecast no change to policy rate at August 8 rate-setting meeting given inflation pressures from recent fiscal adjustments.
Retail sales growth in Romania slows to 1.8% y/y in Q2
Slowdown follows a sharp expansion in 2024 and comes ahead of fiscal and budgetary reforms expected to weigh on household consumption.
US effective tariff rate at 17% after July duties adjustment - Fitch
The United States’ effective tariff rate (ETR) has settled at 17% following the latest reciprocal duty announcements on July 27 and July 31, according to Fitch Ratings.
Trump Administration's trade deals so far - Statista
On July 27, the United States and the European Union agreed on a trade deal that is lowering tariffs of 30% on European goods threatened by August to 15%, including on cars.