Southeast Europe / Data
War is a growing concern across Europe – Statista
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the formal end of World War II in Europe, reports Statista.
GDP growth in North Macedonia projected at 3.3% in 2025, but risks remain, says IMF
Growth to be driven by stronger domestic demand, public investment and increased consumption, supported by government transfers and rising real wages.
BioNTech boss ranked second on Forbes’ richest Turks list
Ugur Sahin and wife and business partner Ozlem Tureci became weathly thanks to a COVID vaccine.
Albanian lek hits record high against euro
Lek soars against the European single currency, boosted by seasonal inflows from tourism, rising foreign investment and Albania’s tight fiscal policy,
Moldova's government hopes for 2% economic growth this year
Moldovan government's projection is more optimistic than recent estimates from international financial institutions.
Turkey’s inflation dips further to 37.9% in April
But not according to independent economists. They say the headline rate increased to 80% from 75% in March.
PMI shows Turkish manufacturing stayed in doldrums in April, but some signs of improvement noted
Rate of input cost inflation quickened to fastest for a year amid currency weakness and higher raw material costs
Turkey’s reserves head to minus territory, lira flat and bond yields break records
Economy experiencing unprecedented portfolio outflows described by one analyst as almost apocalyptic.
Turkey ranked 17th largest military spender in 2024 by Sipri
9% annual rise in global spending steepest recorded since at least end of Cold War.
Istanbul-listed Koc makes Top 20 for first time in Global 500 Family Business ranking
Claims 19th position with $68bn in revenues.
World Bank cuts Romania's growth forecast to lowest in the region for 2025 and 2026
The World Bank has sharply revised downward its economic growth projections for Romania, now expecting GDP to grow by just 1.3% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026.
Romania's public deficit reaches new record in 2024
Romania posted the widest general government budget deficit among EU member states at 9.3% of GDP, nearly three times the EU average.
Tourism record set as almost one million hot air balloon passengers take to sky in Turkey during 2024
Flights held in seven regions.
Abdi Ipekci remains most expensive shopping avenue in Istanbul
Monthly prime rent on luxury retail street $250 per square metre.
Fertility rate crashes to critical levels in Turkey
President Erdogan has warned problem could reach “irreparable proportions”.
Foreign investors still selling Turkish papers
FX firepower Erdogan regime has at its disposal declines further, but is still a substantial distance from hitting previous lows.
Romania’s public debt takes a break and stays flat in January at 54.8% of GDP
Romania’s rapidly rising public debt (chart) remained steady through January, ending the month at RON964.4bn (€193.8bn), or 46.8% of GDP, according to data published by the Finance Ministry.
Romania’s trade deficit expands 32% in February as exports falter and imports surge
Romania’s foreign trade (chart) deficit widened by 32% year on year in February 2025, reaching €2.74bn, as export volumes declined and imports continued to rise, according to figures published by the National Institute of Statistics.
Moldova’s current account deficit hits 16% of GDP in 2024, but BoP correction cannot be avoided
Moldova’s current account deficit (chart) widened by 54% year on year to $2.9bn in 2024, driven primarily by an 18% increase in the trade deficit, which reached $4.7bn, according to data published by the National Bank of Moldova.
Turkey still burning through reserves to keep lira at 38.00 against USD
Excess lira liquidity in banking system on April 7 turned negative for first time since September.