The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) In the Euro Area expanded 0.60 percent in the first quarter of 2025 over the previous quarter. This dataset provides - Euro Area GDP Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Negotiated Wage Growth In the Euro Area decreased to 2.38 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 4.12 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Euro Area Negotiated Wage Growth.

In June 2024, the European Central Bank (ECB) lowered its deposit facility interest rate for the first time in over two years, marking a shift in its monetary policy stance. This move was followed by a gradual adjustment, with the rate reaching 3.25 percent six months later. By December 2024, the ECB implemented an additional rate cut, bringing the rate down to three percent. In the first half of 2025, the ECB implemented four further cuts, setting the rate at two percent in June 2025. These reductions came after a prolonged period of steady rate increases, signaling a measured response to evolving economic conditions and a potential recalibration of its approach to support growth and stability.

In June 2024, the European Central Bank (ECB) began reducing its fixed interest rate for the first time since 2016, implementing a series of cuts. The rate decreased from 4.5 percent to 3.15 percent by year-end: a 0.25 percentage point cut in June, followed by additional reductions in September, October, and December. The central bank implemented other cuts in early 2025, setting the rate at 2.4 percent in April 2025. This marked a significant shift from the previous rate hike cycle, which began in July 2022 when the ECB raised rates to 0.5 percent and subsequently increased them almost monthly, reaching 4.5 percent by December 2023 - the highest level since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis. How does this ensure liquidity? Banks typically hold only a fraction of their capital in cash, measured by metrics like the Tier 1 capital ratio. Since this ratio is low, banks prefer to allocate most of their capital to revenue-generating loans. When their cash reserves fall too low, banks borrow from the ECB to cover short-term liquidity needs. On the other hand, commercial banks can also deposit excess funds with the ECB at a lower interest rate. Reasons for fluctuations
The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability. The Euro area inflation rate is, in theory, the key indicator guiding the ECB's actions. When the fixed interest rate is lower, commercial banks are more likely to borrow from the ECB, increasing the money supply and, in turn, driving inflation higher. When inflation rises, the ECB increases the fixed interest rate, which slows borrowing and helps to reduce inflation.

Policy interest rates in the U.S. and Europe are forecasted to decrease gradually between 2024 and 2027, following exceptional increases triggered by soaring inflation between 2021 and 2023. The U.S. federal funds rate stood at **** percent at the end of 2023, the European Central Bank deposit rate at **** percent, and the Swiss National Bank policy rate at **** percent. With inflationary pressures stabilizing, policy interest rates are forecast to decrease in each observed region. The U.S. federal funds rate is expected to decrease to *** percent, the ECB refi rate to **** percent, the Bank of England bank rate to **** percent, and the Swiss National Bank policy rate to **** percent by 2025. An interesting aspect to note is the impact of these interest rate changes on various economic factors such as growth, employment, and inflation. The impact of central bank policy rates The U.S. federal funds effective rate, crucial in determining the interest rate paid by depository institutions, experienced drastic changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsequent slight changes in the effective rate reflected the efforts to stimulate the economy and manage economic factors such as inflation. Such fluctuations in the federal funds rate have had a significant impact on the overall economy. The European Central Bank's decision to cut its fixed interest rate in June 2024 for the first time since 2016 marked a significant shift in attitude towards economic conditions. The reasons behind the fluctuations in the ECB's interest rate reflect its mandate to ensure price stability and manage inflation, shedding light on the complex interplay between interest rates and economic factors. Inflation and real interest rates The relationship between inflation and interest rates is critical in understanding the actions of central banks. Central banks' efforts to manage inflation through interest rate adjustments reveal the intricate balance between economic growth and inflation. Additionally, the concept of real interest rates, adjusted for inflation, provides valuable insights into the impact of inflation on the economy.

August 2024 marked a significant shift in the UK's monetary policy, as it saw the first reduction in the official bank base interest rate since August 2023. This change came after a period of consistent rate hikes that began in late 2021. In a bid to minimize the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of England cut the official bank base rate in March 2020 to a record low of *** percent. This historic low came just one week after the Bank of England cut rates from **** percent to **** percent in a bid to prevent mass job cuts in the United Kingdom. It remained at *** percent until December 2021 and was increased to one percent in May 2022 and to **** percent in October 2022. After that, the bank rate increased almost on a monthly basis, reaching **** percent in August 2023. It wasn't until August 2024 that the first rate decrease since the previous year occurred, signaling a potential shift in monetary policy. Why do central banks adjust interest rates? Central banks, including the Bank of England, adjust interest rates to manage economic stability and control inflation. Their strategies involve a delicate balance between two main approaches. When central banks raise interest rates, their goal is to cool down an overheated economy. Higher rates curb excessive spending and borrowing, which helps to prevent runaway inflation. This approach is typically used when the economy is growing too quickly or when inflation is rising above desired levels. Conversely, when central banks lower interest rates, they aim to encourage borrowing and investment. This strategy is employed to stimulate economic growth during periods of slowdown or recession. Lower rates make it cheaper for businesses and individuals to borrow money, which can lead to increased spending and investment. This dual approach allows central banks to maintain a balance between promoting growth and controlling inflation, ensuring long-term economic stability. Additionally, adjusting interest rates can influence currency values, impacting international trade and investment flows, further underscoring their critical role in a nation's economic health. Recent interest rate trends Between 2021 and 2024, most advanced and emerging economies experienced a period of regular interest rate hikes. This trend was driven by several factors, including persistent supply chain disruptions, high energy prices, and robust demand pressures. These elements combined to create significant inflationary trends, prompting central banks to raise rates in an effort to temper spending and borrowing. However, in 2024, a shift began to occur in global monetary policy. The European Central Bank (ECB) was among the first major central banks to reverse this trend by cutting interest rates. This move signaled a change in approach aimed at addressing growing economic slowdowns and supporting growth.

In 2022, Portugal overturned the sinking mortgage interest rate it had gone through during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The country did not escape from the overall trend of falling mortgage interest rates observed in Europe during the COVID-19 crisis, which positioned national mortgage interest rates at **** percent in the fourth quarter of 2021. Interest rates as a weapon against inflation Even though interest rates are affected by economic growth, monetary policies, the bond market, the stability of lenders, and the overall conditions of the housing market, inflation currently leads the European Central Bank (ECB)’s decisions regarding them. As inflation had been low in Europe since the 2008 financial crisis, the ECB lowered interest rates in an attempt to promote economic growth. However, the economic difficulties brought up by the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war have fueled inflation. To counteract this rise, the ECB increased interest rates. Portugal’s abrupt rise in interest rates on new residential loans from **** percent in 2021 to **** percent in 2023 demonstrates the balanced and calculated act between the two financial indices. High interest rates and low mortgage lending Compared to other European nations, Portugal has a low gross residential mortgage lending. In the third and fourth quarters of 2022, mortgage lending decreased in the country due to rising interest rates and worsening economic conditions, but have increased dramatically until 2024. Despite being in a rising trajectory in terms of outstanding residential mortgage lending since the second quarter of 2021, 2023 registered decreasing figures caused by the same economic contingencies. 2024 shows a different trend, however.

According to data from the European Central Bank, this graph displays the monthly exchange rate (as of the end of each month) of the euro to the Polish zloty (EUR/PLN). The concrete, or time, the measure shows the exchange rate as of the last day of each month, which is different from the standardized measure, a calculation of the average based on observations throughout the period in question.As of June 2025, the exchange rate of the euro to the zloty amounted to ****, a decrease from the previous month.   EUR/PLN exchange rate analysis      The initial phase of the economic activity breakdown in Poland and key global centers caused by the coronavirus epidemic is slowly passing. There is a growing belief in markets that many stimulus packages will improve the economic situation and allow for a relatively rapid return to growth. The recovery is conducive to recouping losses by emerging market currencies — among which is the Polish zloty. However, further strengthening of the Polish currency should be carried out gradually. The beginning of 2020 for the Polish zloty can be described as turbulent. The limited depreciation of the zloty against the euro in January and February turned into a violent sale in March. Starting from the beginning of the year to the minimum point that the zloty reached in relation to the euro in the second half of March, the Polish currency lost about ***** percent.   Fundamental analysis      Recently, the Polish zloty has made up for some of the losses. The Polish government reacted quickly to the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. On ** March, the introduction of an "epidemic emergency" was announced, which on 20 March turned into an "epidemic state". Poland launched preventive measures relatively early, and the restrictions implemented were rather rigorous compared to many other European countries. Thus, economic activity in the country experienced a collapse. The GDP growth rate decreased from *** percent y/y in the fourth quarter of 2019 to *** percent in the first quarter of 2020. The data for the second quarter will undoubtedly show a much larger downturn scale, mostly due to the lockdown. April's data indicate an evident deterioration of the labor market situation. The data for the following months will most likely show a further increase in the unemployment rate. The Polish authorities have taken coordinated steps to support the economy during the crisis, assisting businesses and households. Under the two key adopted packages, the total value of measures is estimated at around *** billion zloty, equivalent to roughly ** percent of the country's GDP. Concerning the size of the economy, it is one of the most extensive aid packages among the European Union countries. Poland is in the process of opening the economy. This gives hope that economic activity in Poland will regain momentum. Apart from the significant fiscal and monetary stimulation undertaken by the Polish authorities, Poland can probably also count on considerable support from the EU. The new proposal of the European Commission assumes financial assistance for the EU countries. Poland will probably be one of the largest beneficiaries of this proposal if it is accepted in this or a similar form.

Gold Reserves In the Euro Area remained unchanged at 506.52 Tonnes in the first quarter of 2025 from 506.52 Tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Euro Area Gold Reserves - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.