EU Double Dip Recession

Source: EU GDP

• GDP fell by 0.6% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.5% in the EU27 during the fourth quarter of 2012.
• Over the whole year 2012 GDP fell by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27
• In the fourth quarter, even Germany saw negative growth with -0.6%

Compared with the same quarter in the previous year, some countries saw significant drops in GDP.

• Italy GDP fell -2.7% in past 12 months
• Greece -6.0%
• Portugal – 3.8%
• Spain – -1.8%
• France – 0.3%
• UK 0.0%
• Germany 0.4%
• US 1.5%

The fall in EU GDP is bad news, especially because it’s hard to be optimistic about the prospects for recovery in the EU. It is a reminder that bond yields are only a side show in the real test of the EU economy.

Link to extent of austerity in the EU at FT

EU Unemployment

EU Unemployment