In its quarterly assessment published on Wednesday, the European Commission cut its forecasts for the Eurozone’s economic growth for this year and the next, noting that the bloc could avert a technical recession.
2023 economic growth forecast lowered to 0.6% from 0.8% previously.
2024 economic growth forecast seen at 1.2%, then 1.6% in 2025.
Sees Q4 eurozone growth at 0.2% q/q after -0.1% in Q3, no technical recession.
2023 inflation forecast seen at 5.6%, then 3.2% in 2024, then 2.2% in 2025.
High inflation, interest rates, and weaker external demand took a heavier toll on growth than anticipated.
Expects aggregated Eurozone budget deficit to fall to -2.8% of GDP in 2024 from -3.2% in 2023, ease to -2.7% in 2025.
Forecasts Italy, France, Belgium, Slovakia and Malta to have a budget deficit well above EU limit of 3% in 2024 and 2025.
Expects aggregated Euro zone public debt to ease in 2024 to 89.7% of GDP from 90.4% in 2023, ease to 89.5% in 2025.
Forecasts Italian public debt, second highest in the EU, will rise to 140.6% of GDP in 2024 and 140.9% in 2025 from 139.8% in 2023.