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.

Inflation is characterized by a steady rise in the aggregate level of prices in an economy - put into simpler words, it is the rise in all prices in the economy, rather than just in specific prices for goods or services (such as when there is a shortage in a particular good). The consumer price index tracks price trends of private consumption expenditure, and shows an increase in the index's current level of inflation. In April 2025, the inflation rate in Türkiye (previously known as Turkey) was 37.9 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, making it one of the countries in the world with the highest inflation rate.

Inflation Expectations In the Euro Area decreased to 2.60 percent in June from 2.80 percent in May of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Euro Area Inflation Expectations.

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.

Purpose and brief description The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) is an economic indicator designed to measure over time the price evolution of goods and services purchased by households. The HICP therefore allows for a comparable measurement of inflation in the euro area, the EU, the European Economic Area and for all other countries including candidate countries for the European Union. The HICP is calculated in a harmonised manner and on the basis of common concepts. The HICP is the official measure of inflation in the euro area to enable the European Central Bank to conduct its monetary policy. Population Final expenditure of households living on Belgian territory. Frequency Monthly. Release calendar Results available 15 days after the reference period Definitions Harmonised consumer price index (HICP): The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) was created in 1997 in order to have a comparable measurement of the inflation among the participating countries of the future euro area. Since the inception of the euro, the HICP has been one of the European Central Bank's (ECB) most important measuring instruments in the conduct of its monetary policy. The collected prices are those actually borne by the consumers, including for example taxes on products, such as value added tax, and take into account the sales periods. Inflation: Inflation is defined as the ratio between the value of the consumer price index of a given month and the index of the same month the year before. Therefore, inflation measures the rhythm of the evolution of the overall price level. COICOP; COICOP is a nomenclature, developed by the United Nations, that aims to classify individual consumption expenditures of households according to purpose. Harmonised Index at constant tax rates: The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices at constant tax rates is derived from the HICP and is calculated by keeping the level of indirect taxes (mainly excise duties and VAT) constant compared to the level observed in December of the previous year. This index allows measuring the maximum effect on the inflation of changes in taxes by assuming that they are directly and fully passed on to the final price paid by consumers. Weighing: Weight in the basket of goods and services determined by the results of the national accounts (expenditure optics) and those of the household budget survey. Inflation at constant tax rates: Inflation is defined as the ratio between the value of the consumer price index of a given month and the index of the same month the year before. Therefore, inflation measures the rhythm of the evolution of the overall price level. Metadata Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices.pdf Monthly survey of consumer prices by surveyors in stores.pdf 'Private rents' survey.pdf 'Social rents' survey.pdf Other various sources (Internet, catalogues, scanner data, ...).pdf

The private investigations industry covers both investigations for individuals and corporate clients, which make up the bulk of revenue. A weakening trend in M&A activity has led to a slump in demand for corporate investigations in Europe. Companies usually hire corporate investigators to conduct due diligence prior to a potential merger or acquisition. However, from 2019 to 2023, M&A activity in Europe slumped, which is attributed to high interest rates in the UK and Eurozone, making it difficult for companies to fund high-value deals. According to data from Kroll, 2023 saw European target M&A plummet to a ten-year low, restricting opportunities for investigation firms in corporate intelligence, fraud risk assessment and asset tracing. Overall, investigation services revenue is projected to dip at a compound annual rate of 0.3% over the five years through 2025, alongside an expected hike of 1.5% in 2025, reaching €1.2 billion. The tightening of professional standards, spurred by regulatory expectations like GDPR and the anticipated rollout of Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensing, has improved client trust and supported a price premium for accredited investigators. Despite these gains, competition from digital-first, low-cost providers has begun to squeeze legacy firms in commoditised segments like background checks and basic surveillance. Easing inflation and a sequence of interest rate cuts across Europe are set to revive corporate deal-making and strategic investments, fuelling demand for sophisticated investigation services. The anticipated uptick in acquisitions, partnerships and vendor onboarding will particularly benefit firms specialising in forensic accounting, reputational due diligence and cross-border asset tracing. However, intensifying price competition from automation-enabled newcomers and freelancer platforms will squeeze profit in routine investigative work, compelling traditional investigators to invest in advanced technologies to maintain competitiveness. Still, specialist corporate work, where technical complexity and risk mitigation are non-negotiable, will remain the industry’s profit stronghold. With the European Commission projecting steady GDP growth and easing inflation, investigation service providers should be well-positioned to capitalise on heightened corporate activity, especially if they keep evolving technologically and uphold robust compliance standards. Revenue is projected to climb at a compound annual rate of 4.5% over the five years through 2030, reaching €1.5 billion.

Euro Area's main stock market index, the EU50, fell to 5336 points on July 31, 2025, losing 1.06% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 1.01% and is up 11.96% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Euro Area. Euro Area Stock Market Index (EU50) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Research Hypothesis

The central hypothesis of this study is that economic growth, as represented by Romania's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), significantly impacts income inequality, measured using the GINI index. Specifically:

Null Hypothesis (H₀): There is no statistically significant relationship between GDP and the GINI index in Romania from 2006 to 2021. This implies that changes in GDP do not influence income inequality.
Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): There is a statistically significant negative relationship between GDP and the GINI index in Romania from 2006 to 2021. This suggests that as GDP increases, income inequality decreases.

Data Description and Collection

The study relies on secondary data sourced from the World Bank Open Database. Two primary variables were used:

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
  Representing Romania's economic output, GDP was measured in constant USD to account for inflation. It reflects the total value of goods and services produced within the country each year.
  This variable serves as the independent variable, influencing income inequality.

GINI Index:
  The GINI index quantifies income inequality on a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 represents perfect equality and 100 represents maximum inequality.
  This variable acts as the dependent variable, influenced by changes in GDP.

The dataset spans 2006 to 2021, providing a comprehensive view of Romania’s economic and social landscape during its post-European Union (EU) accession period. Methodology Linear Regression Analysis

To test the relationship between GDP and the GINI index, a simple linear regression model was constructed.

Diagnostic Checks

Several diagnostic tests were conducted to validate the regression model:

Residual Analysis: Checked for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test.
Homoscedasticity: Assessed using the Breusch-Pagan test to verify constant variance in residuals.
Autocorrelation: Evaluated using the Durbin-Watson test to detect correlations in residuals over time.

Findings Model Results

Correlation Coefficient (R): 0.739

  F-Statistic: 16.850 (p = 0.001)
  Indicates that the overall model is statistically significant at a 1% level, reinforcing the relationship between GDP and the GINI index.

GDP Coefficient (Unstandardized): -2.472E-11

P-Value for GDP Coefficient: 0.001
  Demonstrates that the relationship between GDP and the GINI index is statistically significant.

Diagnostic Test Results

Homoscedasticity: The Breusch-Pagan test identified evidence of heteroscedasticity (p = 0.033), indicating non-constant variance in residuals.
Autocorrelation: The Durbin-Watson statistic (1.126) revealed some positive autocorrelation in residuals, suggesting temporal patterns in unexplained factors.

The European cleaning services industry has rebounded robustly in the post-pandemic era, buoyed by greater office occupancy and a renewed focus on health and hygiene across both commercial and residential environments. As workforces have returned to physical workplaces, especially in key markets like France and Belgium, demand for regular and specialised cleaning contracts has jumped. Cleaning services revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 0.3% over the five years through 2025. The industry’s recovery has been further supported by stabilising macroeconomic conditions, falling inflation rates and recent interest rate cuts across the eurozone, which have collectively strengthened consumer confidence and heightened corporate spending on non-core outsourced services like professional cleaning. European businesses have sought to ramp up sanitation protocols to ensure employee safety, triggering a spike in contract renewals and more frequent service cycles. Outfits like ISS A/S capitalised on the post-pandemic recovery, expanding their portfolios across major European economies. In 2025, revenue is expected to swell by 0.4% to €166 billion. There has been a notable shift towards sustainability, with cleaning providers investing in eco-friendly materials and practices, like microfibre technologies, biodegradable soaps and adherence to certifications including the EU Ecolabel, to meet rising demand from environmentally conscious clients. This not only helped retain existing clients but also differentiated providers in a highly competitive landscape. Over the five years through 2030, revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 4.4% to €206.3 billion. Population expansion in urban centres, particularly in France, Ireland and the Nordics, is set to fuel ongoing demand for residential and public sector cleaning, while regions facing population decline, like Italy and much of Eastern Europe, may see stiffer competition and narrowing profit. The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic automation promises to redefine operational efficiency, allowing early adopters to secure premium contracts and mitigate chronic labour shortages. Macroeconomic tailwinds, including expected European GDP growth and cooling inflation, will spur commercial construction and facilities management contracts, supporting steady industry growth. However, providers who fail to innovate or differentiate, whether through sustainability or technology, will likely struggle to maintain market share in an industry that’s rapidly evolving on multiple fronts.