Eurozone recovery finally gaining traction as Spanish economy grows one per cent
The Eurozone economy is picking up steam, with bullish figures released yesterday suggesting the currency bloc could be about to turn a corner.
Spain’s economy grew by one per cent in three months to June, its fastest pace for seven years. The economy is now 3.1 per cent larger than it was a year ago, the country’s statistical office INE said.
Ireland is booming too, and is closer to having the fastest growing economy in Europe for the second year running, having clinched the title with 4.8 per cent growth in 2014.
The country’s Central Statistics Office (CSO) said the economy grew 1.4 per cent in the first three months of 2015.
Confidence is also high across the Eurozone, with the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) produced by the European Commission rising to a score of 104 in July. It suggests that Eurozone firms are the most confident they have been on the economy since 2011.
“The Spanish economic recovery story continues to unfold at an impressive pace, with the country metamorphosing from a state of near-economic and financial collapse to being the strongest growth performer in the Eurozone,” said economist Raj Badiani from analysts IHS.”
It comes after Spanish unemployment saw a steep drop to 22.4 per cent in the three months to June from 23.8 per cent in the first three months of 2015. However, it remains one of the highest unemployment rates in the currency bloc.
Economist Gizem Kara from BNP Paribas said the ESI was “generally a good leading indicator for GDP growth,” and that “a weaker currency and a loose monetary policy stance will continue to provide support to economic recovery going forward.”
The Eurozone has failed to achieve a lasting economic recovery since the 2007-8 financial crisis and nearly fell into recession last year.