South Eastern Europe / Data
EU rare earth supply dominated by China and Russia - Eurostat
The European Union remains heavily dependent on China and Russia for rare earth imports, with nearly three-quarters of its supply sourced from the two countries in 2024, according to data published by Eurostat and reported by Statista.
Romania’s manufacturing PMI reaches 15-month high in September
Latest PMI reading follows a period of gradual recovery in Romania’s industrial sector.
Moldova’s economy turns to growth in Q2, helped by investments
Upturn follows three-quarter recession prompted by last year's poor harvest.
Kosovo Business Alliance warns diaspora investments locked in non-productive real estate
Business representatives say €9bn real estate investments are “dead capital” that generate neither jobs nor economic growth.
Romania’s macroeconomic confidence index rises after rating outlook affirmed
Boost in confidence follows affirmations of Romania's sovereign rating by Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service, after the government advanced its first package of fiscal measures in July.
Young Bulgarians turn to stocks over real estate, survey shows
Real estate remains the most popular option overall but younger investors are leading a shift towards stock market investing, says survey commissioned by Revolut.
Inflation wipes out wage gains in Romania as real incomes decline
Romanian households saw their purchasing power shrink in July as inflation outpaced wage growth.
Two thirds of Germans fear a Russian invasion fuelling far-right election gains in western heartland
Public anxiety over a potential Russian attack on Nato territory has surged in Germany following the recent drone incursion on September 10 into Polish airspace that coincided with sharp gains by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Poll shows far-right opposition party AUR's support above 40% in Romania
Combined score of Romania's ruling coalition parties now only slightly ahead of AUR and fellow far-right parties.
Inflation in Moldova eases to 7.3% y/y in August
Inflation falls to the lowest level since prices suddenly rose in January, prompted by a crisis in the electricity system after Russia cut its deliveries overnight.
Bulgaria’s life expectancy lowest in the EU, says Eurostat
Life expectancy at birth in Bulgaria stood at 75.9 years in 2024, well below the EU average of 81.7 years.
India, China, Europe, all face population declines by the end of the century – OWID
This chart tracks the UN’s latest demographic projections for four large populations: India, China, Europe, and the United States. Together, they account for about half of today’s world population, Our World in Data (OWID) reports.
Romania’s retail sales rise 5.3% y/y in July, ahead of expected slowdown
Recent VAT and excise duty hikes as well as slower household income growth to weigh on consumption.
North Macedonia’s GDP growth accelerates to 3.4% in 2Q25
Data point to a steady recovery of the Macedonian economy, supported by construction and services, but tempered by a widening trade gap.
Nato’s Zeitenwende to reach 2% spending goal – Statista
New data released last week by Nato exemplifies how profoundly the realities of foreign relations have changed over the course of the past three years, Statista reports.
Romania’s manufacturing PMI rises to 14-month high but outlook remains weak
Despite the improvement, the index remained below the neutral 50 threshold for the fifteenth consecutive month, signalling ongoing contraction.
Albania’s Q2 power imports jump 16.5% as hydro output declines
Hydropower typically supplies nearly all of Albania’s electricity, leaving the Balkan country highly exposed to rainfall fluctuations.
EU commits to huge increase in energy imports from US - Statista
One of the key components of the trade deal that the European Union and the US agreed upon on July 27 is the EU’s commitment to massively ramp up energy imports from the United States, Statista reports.
Moldova’s trade deficit widens 37% y/y in Q2 as imports surge and exports fall
Widening trade gap weighs on Moldova’s balance of payments and adds pressure to the current account deficit.
Kosovo’s central bank projects solid GDP growth of 4.1% in 2025 despite external risks
The projections follow a period of robust growth, driven by household consumption, investment and exports.