This dataset provides values for INTEREST RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

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.

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.

Mortgage interest rates in Europe soared in 2022 and remained elevated in the following two years. In many countries, this resulted in interest rates more than doubling. In the UK, the average mortgage interest rate rose from **** percent in 2020 to **** percent in 2023, before falling to **** in 2024. Why did mortgage interest rates increase? Mortgage rates have risen as a result of the European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate increase. The ECB increased its interest rates to tackle inflation. As inflation calms, the ECB is expected to cut rates, which allows mortgage lenders to reduce mortgage interest rates. What is the impact of interest rates on home buying? Lower interest rates make taking out a housing loan more affordable, and thus, encourage homebuying. That can be seen in many countries across Europe: In France, the number of residential properties sold rose in the years leading up to 2021, and fell as interest rates increased. The number of houses sold in the UK followed a similar trend.

Key information about European Union Long Term Interest Rate

• European Union Government Bond Yield: Monthly Average: Euro: 10 Years was reported at 2.99 % pa in Feb 2025, compared with 3.09 % pa in the previous month.
• EU Long Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1970 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 15.44 % pa in Sep 1981 and a record low of -0.09 % pa in Dec 2020.
• Long Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by European Central Bank.

• In the latest reports, EU Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: EURIBOR: 3 Months was reported at -0.57 % pa in Nov 2021.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Main Refinancing Operations) was set at 2.90 % pa in Feb 2025.
• EU Exchange Rate against USD averaged 0.92 (USD/EUR) in Jun 2023.

The average mortgage interest rate decreased in nearly every country in Europe between 2012 and 2021, followed by an increase in response to inflation. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Poland, Hungary, and Romania topped the ranking as the countries with the highest mortgage interest rates in Europe. Conversely, Belgium, Spain, and Italy displayed the lowest interest rates. The UK, which is the country with the largest value of mortgages outstanding, had an interest rate of **** percent.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates: 3-Month or 90-Day Rates and Yields: Interbank Rates: Total for Euro Area (19 Countries) from Jan 1994 to May 2025 about interbank, Euro Area, 3-month, Europe, yield, interest rate, interest, and rate.

The average for 2023 based on 16 countries was 1.26 percent. The highest value was in Norway: 17.82 percent and the lowest value was in Montenegro: -3.8 percent. The indicator is available from 1961 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The average for 2023 based on 17 countries was 8.37 percent. The highest value was in Ukraine: 22.11 percent and the lowest value was in Switzerland: 2.86 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates, Discount Rate for Euro Area from Jan 1999 to May 2017 about Euro Area, Europe, interest rate, interest, and rate.

Key information about European Union Short Term Interest Rate

• European Union Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: EURIBOR: 3 Months was reported at -0.57 % pa in Nov 2021, compared with -0.55 % pa in the previous month.
• EU Short Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Dec 1998 to Nov 2021.
• The data reached an all-time high of 5.28 % pa in Sep 2008 and a record low of -0.57 % pa in Nov 2021.
• Short Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by European Money Markets Institute.

• In the latest reports, EU Government Bond Yield: Monthly Average: Euro: 10 Years was reported at 2.90 % pa in Jan 2024.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Main Refinancing Operations) was set at 4.50 % pa in Jan 2024.
• EU Exchange Rate against USD averaged 0.92 (USD/EUR) in Jun 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates: Immediate Rates (< 24 Hours): Call Money/Interbank Rate: Total for Euro Area (19 Countries) (IRSTCI01EZM156N) from Jan 1994 to May 2025 about interbank, overnight, Euro Area, Europe, interest rate, interest, and rate.

Key information about European Union Policy Rate

• European Union cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Main Refinancing Operations) was set at 2.90 % pa in Feb 2025, compared with 3.15 % pa in the previous Jan 2025.
• EU Policy Rate averaged 1.25 % pa and is updated monthly, available from Jan 1999 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 4.75 % pa in Apr 2001 and a record low of 0.00 % pa in Jun 2022.

• In the latest reports, EU Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: EURIBOR: 3 Months was reported at -0.57 % pa in Nov 2021.
• Its Long Term Interest Rate (Government Bond Yield: Monthly Average: Euro: 10 Years) was reported at 3.09 % pa in Jan 2025.
• EU Exchange Rate against USD averaged 0.92 (USD/EUR) in Jun 2023.
• Its Real Effective Exchange Rate was 90.23 in Jan 2025.

From 2003 to 2025, the central banks of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union exhibited remarkably similar interest rate patterns, reflecting shared global economic conditions. In the early 2000s, rates were initially low to stimulate growth, then increased as economies showed signs of overheating prior to 2008. The financial crisis that year prompted sharp rate cuts to near-zero levels, which persisted for an extended period to support economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to further rate reductions to historic lows, aiming to mitigate economic fallout. However, surging inflation in 2022 triggered a dramatic policy shift, with the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank significantly raising rates to curb price pressures. As inflation stabilized in late 2023 and early 2024, the ECB and Bank of England initiated rate cuts by mid-2024, and the Federal Reserve also implemented its first cut in three years, with forecasts suggesting a gradual decrease in all major interest rates between 2025 and 2026. Divergent approaches within the European Union While the ECB sets a benchmark rate for the Eurozone, individual EU countries have adopted diverse strategies to address their unique economic circumstances. For instance, Hungary set the highest rate in the EU at 13 percent in September 2023, gradually reducing it to 6.5 percent by October 2024. In contrast, Sweden implemented more aggressive cuts, lowering its rate to 2.25 percent by February 2025, the lowest among EU members. These variations highlight the complex economic landscape that European central banks must navigate, balancing inflation control with economic growth support. Global context and future outlook The interest rate changes in major economies have had far-reaching effects on global financial markets. Government bond yields, for example, reflect these policy shifts and investor sentiment. As of December 2024, the United States had the highest 10-year government bond yield among developed economies at 4.59 percent, while Switzerland had the lowest at 0.27 percent. These rates serve as important benchmarks for borrowing costs and economic expectations worldwide.

As of January 2025, Latvia was the euro area country with the highest interest rate for loans. The long-term maturities in that Baltic country were on average over 8.19 percent. Meanwhile, the composite cost for short-term loans in Malta amounted to 3.65 percent, which was the lowest rate in the Eurozone.

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.

Graph and download economic data for ECB Deposit Facility Rate for Euro Area (ECBDFR) from 1999-01-01 to 2025-07-11 about overnight, Euro Area, deposits, Europe, and rate.

The average for 2020 based on 13 countries was 3.71 interest rate points. The highest value was in Ukraine: 8.21 interest rate points and the lowest value was in Hungary: 1.49 interest rate points. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2020. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Key information about Germany Long Term Interest Rate

• Germany Long Term Interest Rate: Month Avg: Germany: ECB Harmonised was reported at 2.41 % pa in Feb 2025, compared with 2.48 % pa in the previous month.
• Germany Long Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1990 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 9.09 % pa in Oct 1990 and a record low of -0.65 % pa in Aug 2019.
• Long Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by CEIC Data.

• In the latest reports, Germany Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: EURIBOR: 3 Months was reported at -0.57 % pa in Nov 2021.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Main Refinancing Operations) was set at 2.90 % pa in Feb 2025.
• Germany Exchange Rate against USD averaged 0.92 (USD/EUR) in Jun 2023.

European Union BLS: HP: General Level of Interest Rates: Unchanged data was reported at 35.945 % in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 49.117 % for Jan 2025. European Union BLS: HP: General Level of Interest Rates: Unchanged data is updated quarterly, averaging 67.589 % from Apr 2015 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 86.382 % in Jul 2020 and a record low of 20.593 % in Apr 2023. European Union BLS: HP: General Level of Interest Rates: Unchanged 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.