Comparing to Spring projections, European Commission kept 2019 Eurozone growth forecast unchanged at 1.2%. But for 2020, growth projection was lowered slightly from 1.5% to 1.4%. For EU28, 2019 and 2020 growth forecasts were kept unchanged at 1.4% and 1.6% respectively.
On prices, Eurozone 2019 inflation forecast was lowered from 1.4% to 1.3%. Similarly, 2020 inflation projection was lowered from 1.4% to 1.3% too. For EU28, 2019 and 2020 inflation forecasts were lowered to 1.5% and 1.6%, down from 1.6% and 1.7%.
Looking at some major countries, Germany forecast was kept unchanged at 0.5% in 2019, downgraded from 1.5% to 1.4% in 2020. France growth forecast was kept unchanged at 1.3% in 2019, downgraded from 1.5% to 1.4% in 2020. Italy growth forecasts were held unchanged at 0.1% in 2019 and 0.7% in 2020.
European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said: “The resilience of our economies is being tested by persisting manufacturing weakness stemming from trade tensions and policy uncertainty. On the domestic side, a “no deal” Brexit remains a major source of risk.”
Commissioner Pierre Moscovici urged: “Given the numerous risks to the outlook, we must intensify efforts to further strengthen the resilience of our economies and of the euro area as a whole.”
