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.

The benchmark interest rate In the Euro Area was last recorded at 2.15 percent. This dataset provides - Euro Area Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

After a period of record-low mortgage interest rates, the cost of mortgage borrowing in Germany surged in 2022. In 2019, mortgage rates declined notably, falling as low as **** percent in December 2020. This downward trend reversed in 2021, as mortgage rates started to gradually pick up. Five-to-ten-year mortgage loans had the lowest rates in March 2025 at **** percent, while floating rate mortgages up to one year were the most expensive at **** percent. Mortgages with over **-year fixed period – the most popular loan type among homebuyers — had an interest rate of **** percent. Why did mortgage rates in Germany increase? In 2022, the annual inflation rate in Germany experienced a swift rise, prompting the central bank to raise interest rates to counter this surge. The European Central Bank (ECB) is responsible for determining Germany's central bank interest rate. In July 2022, following a prolonged period of stability, the average interest rates in Germany began a steady rise, which persisted consistently thereafter.  This increase is intended to stabilize prices, but it also means higher borrowing costs for those seeking mortgages. Downturn in Germany's home loan borrowing From 2022 onward, the gross residential mortgage lending in Germany fell dramatically. Besides the higher interest rates, the downturn can be explained by the slowed pace of economic growth, which makes individuals and businesses more cautious about big investments such as buying a home. Additionally, the German housing market suffers a chronic undersupply, meaning that homebuyers often struggle to find an affordable home to purchase.

European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Not Applicable data was reported at 0.000 % in Apr 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for Jan 2025. European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Not Applicable data is updated quarterly, averaging 0.916 % from Apr 2015 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.332 % in Jan 2017 and a record low of 0.000 % in Apr 2025. European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Not Applicable data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.KB020: European Central Bank: Bank Lending Survey: Factor Affecting Demand for Loans to Household.

The U.S. federal funds rate peaked in 2023 at its highest level since the 2007-08 financial crisis, reaching 5.33 percent by December 2023. A significant shift in monetary policy occurred in the second half of 2024, with the Federal Reserve implementing regular rate cuts. By December 2024, the rate had declined to 4.48 percent. What is a central bank rate? The federal funds rate determines the cost of overnight borrowing between banks, allowing them to maintain necessary cash reserves and ensure financial system liquidity. When this rate rises, banks become more inclined to hold rather than lend money, reducing the money supply. While this decreased lending slows economic activity, it helps control inflation by limiting the circulation of money in the economy. Historic perspective The federal funds rate historically follows cyclical patterns, falling during recessions and gradually rising during economic recoveries. Some central banks, notably the European Central Bank, went beyond traditional monetary policy by implementing both aggressive asset purchases and negative interest rates.

Since its introduction in October 2019, the Euro Short-Term Rate (€STR) has remained constant at between -0.51 and -0.59 percent until the second half 2022. Since then, it increased, peaking at 3.9 between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. As of January 2025, the rate stood at 2.92 percent. The €STR is an interest rate benchmark designed to replace the Euro OverNight Index Average (EOIA), adopting a different calculation methodology that returns significantly lower rates. It is intended that the EOIA will be discontinued from January 3, 2022. How is the Euro Short-Term Rate calculated? The €STR uses transaction data included in daily reporting on monetary exchanges from the 52 largest eurozone banks to calculate the average interests rate attached to loans throughout a business day. Only unsecured loans are included, as the rate on secured loans would be affected by the type of underlying collateral. Several key respects distinguish the €STR from alternative benchmarks like the EOIA, and the London Intrabank Offered Rate (LIBOR). First, the €STR is based on transaction data alone, whereas the LIBOR asking major banks directly what rate they would charge other banks for short terms loans. The second main difference is that, by considering money market transactions rather than only intrabank lending (like the EOIA and LIBOR), the €STR incorporates the role of other major actors like money market funds, insurance companies, and other financial corporations. Difference between €STR and EURIBOR The Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR) is the other main reference interest rate governing eurozone lending. The EURIBOR differs from €STR though as it is based on a survey of the interest rates a panel of major banks would offer other major banks for interbank term deposits. There are therefore different reference rates published for different maturities, for example the EURIBOR one month rate, the EURIBOR six month rate, and the EURIBOR 12 month rate. In contrast, the €STR is intended to track the cost of overnight borrowing.

European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Considerable Decreased data was reported at 0.000 % in Apr 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for Jan 2025. European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Considerable Decreased data is updated quarterly, averaging 0.000 % from Apr 2015 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.048 % in Apr 2023 and a record low of 0.000 % in Apr 2025. European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Considerable Decreased data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.KB020: European Central Bank: Bank Lending Survey: Factor Affecting Demand for Loans to Household.

The benchmark interest rate in Germany was last recorded at 4.50 percent. This dataset provides - Germany Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Considerable Increased data was reported at 0.000 % in Apr 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for Jan 2025. European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Considerable Increased data is updated quarterly, averaging 0.000 % from Apr 2015 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.814 % in Jul 2017 and a record low of 0.000 % in Apr 2025. European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Considerable Increased data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.KB020: European Central Bank: Bank Lending Survey: Factor Affecting Demand for Loans to Household.

The Eurozone's money supply has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, with the M2 measure reaching approximately 15.6 trillion euros by the end of 2024. This substantial increase from 4.6 trillion euros in 2001 reflects the expanding monetary base in the euro area. However, 2023 marked a notable deviation from this trend, as it was the first year in the observed period where the money supply in the euro area decreased. Components of money supply M2 is a broader measure of money supply that includes cash, checking deposits, and convertible near money. It encompasses the more narrow M1 measure, which consists of the most liquid components, such as currency in circulation and overnight deposits. As of December 2024, the Eurozone's M1 money supply stood at 10.57 trillion euros, while M2 reached 15.6 trillion euros. These figures are used by central banks to forecast inflation and interest rates, playing a crucial role in shaping monetary policy. Comparison with other regions While the Eurozone has seen steady growth in its money supply, other major economies have experienced their own unique trajectories. In the United States, for instance, the M2 money supply reached 20.86 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023, showing a slight decrease from the previous year. Both the Eurozone and the U.S. saw exceptional increases in their money supply during 2020, largely due to quantitative easing measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This global economic event had a profound impact on monetary policies across different regions, influencing the money supply dynamics worldwide.

European Union BLS: Enterprise: Interest Rates: Considerably Higher data was reported at 0.000 % in Apr 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for Jan 2025. European Union BLS: Enterprise: Interest Rates: Considerably Higher data is updated quarterly, averaging 0.000 % from Apr 2015 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.782 % in Jul 2017 and a record low of 0.000 % in Apr 2025. European Union BLS: Enterprise: Interest Rates: Considerably Higher data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.KB015: European Central Bank: Bank Lending Survey: Factor Affecting Demand for Loans to Enterprise.

The statistic shows the inflation rate in the European Union and the Euro area from 2019 to 2022, with projections up until 2029. The term inflation, also known as currency devaluation (drop in the value of money), is characterized by a steady rise in prices for finished products (consumer goods, capital goods). The consumer price index tracks price trends of private consumption expenditure, and shows an increase in the index's current level of inflation. In 2022, the inflation rate in the EU was about 9.32 percent compared to the previous year. The economic situation in the European Union and the euro area The ongoing Eurozone crisis, which initially emerged in 2009, has dramatically affected most countries in the European Union. The crisis primarily prevented many countries from refinancing their debt without help from a third party and slowed economic growth throughout the entire EU. As a result, general gross debt escalated annually in the euro area and more prominently in the EU. The collective sum of debt is most likely going to continue, given the current global economic situation as well as Europe’s recovering, however struggling economy. Struggles are primarily evident in the EU’s budget balance, which saw itself in the negative every year over the same timeframe as the eurozone crisis, although the balances improved on a yearly basis. Despite economical struggles, the EU still grew in population almost every year over the past decade, primarily due to a high standard of living and job opportunities, compared to many of its surrounding neighbors.

The EUR/USD exchange rate rose to 1.1564 on July 30, 2025, up 0.12% from the previous session. Over the past month, the Euro US Dollar Exchange Rate - EUR/USD has weakened 2.04%, but it's up by 6.84% over the last 12 months. Euro US Dollar Exchange Rate - EUR/USD - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

The benchmark interest rate in Italy was last recorded at 4.50 percent. This dataset provides - Italy Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Finland was last recorded at 4.25 percent. This dataset provides - Finland Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.