Economy, Finance and Trade

The briefing explores structural drivers of inflation and their impact on the global economy and business environment. Factors such as demographics changes, globalisation reset, decarbonisation, AI revolution and higher debt levels would add to the…

The briefing explores trends in the global structure amid rising economic and geopolitical uncertainty. As global economy evolves, countries and companies will need to find ways to diversify the supply of critical components. This will require…

In 2023, Sweden’s economy contracted slightly, with a decline in private spending and housing investment. However, the economy is projected to improve in 2024, with a forecast compound annual growth rate of 1.7% over 2023-2028. Furthermore, inflation…

In 2023, Spain’s economy demonstrated a degree of resilience, with real GDP growth of 2.5%, outperforming the Western European average, despite the environment of geopolitical instability, high inflation and elevated burrowing costs. However, a…

In 2023, the Netherlands’ economic growth decelerated, due to subdued private expenditure and a drop in exports. However, the economy was supported by increases in public spending and gross fixed capital formation. Despite the slowdown in economic…

In 2023, Portugal’s economy grew by 2.2%, outperforming Western Europe’s average, supported by increases in private spending, public consumption, and a thriving tourism industry. However, a slowdown is expected in 2024, due to a challenging external…

In 2023, Turkey’s real GDP growth slowed to 2.8% amid tight financial conditions and surging inflation, but it outperformed Western Europe’s average growth. Furthermore, Turkey’s inflation levels decreased to 53.9% in 2023, following a change in the…

Ireland’s real GDP contracted in 2023, primarily due to subdued foreign demand, which negatively affected export-focused industries, and sluggish private investment. In 2024, Ireland’s economy is projected to rebound, underpinned by a robust labour…

In 2023, Greece’s GDP growth slowed to 2.2%, but outperformed Western Europe’s average. Economic growth was driven by private spending, gross fixed capital formation, and a resurgence in tourism, although it was hindered to some extent by sluggish…

In 2023, France’s GDP growth slowed to 0.7%, underperforming Western Europe’s average, weighed down by high inflation, stringent financial conditions and sluggish public consumption. The country’s economic growth is projected to pick up in 2024,…

In 2023, Switzerland’s GDP growth slowed to 0.7%, dragged down by subdued private investment and public consumption. Following this deceleration in 2023, the Swiss economy is projected to grow by 1.2% in 2024, primarily driven by domestic activity.…

In 2023, Denmark's real GDP growth slowed to 1.4%, yet outperformed the Western European average. Despite a rise in private spending and exports, the economy was hindered by sluggish public consumption and increased interest rates. Over the forecast…

In 2023, the UK’s GDP growth slowed considerably, to 0.1%, with the last two quarters of 2023 seeing a contraction in GDP. Despite receding inflationary pressures, inflation remains above the Bank of England’s target, while households are pressured…

In 2023, real GDP growth in Norway slowed to 1.2%, due to a drop in household consumption, but it continued to outperform the Western European average, thanks to strong per capita expenditure. Despite declining imports and exports, due to global…

In 2023, Germany’s economy contracted by 0.3%, due to sluggish spending, which was impacted by high inflation and stricter financing conditions. However, an improvement is expected in 2024, with projected GDP growth of 0.2%, while inflation is set to…

Finland’s economic growth stagnated in 2023, despite a rise in public consumption. In the near future, the country’s economic development is projected to improve with the help of the Next Generation EU scheme, although sluggish growth in private…

In 2023, Belgium’s economy slowed but still outperformed Western Europe’s average, driven by private and public spending, and a strong services sector. However, projections for 2024 suggest a further deceleration and a widening budget deficit.…

In 2023, Austria’s real GDP contracted by 0.7%, which was below Western Europe’s average growth. The economic slowdown was attributable to high inflation, rising interest rates, labour shortages and sluggish public consumption and investment. Going…

This briefing provides a global perspective of the key trends occurring in cities over 2018 -2023. It goes on to provide forecast data and insights for cities over 2024-2040, covering areas such as the economic, population and consumer spending…

Global growth is set to slow in 2024 as a result of high cost pressures for businesses and consumers, especially high interest rates. Asia Pacific will continue to stand out as the main global growth region while advanced economies decelerate.…

Although Monaco enjoys political stability, questions remain over transparency in financial services. Given that tourism is a significant revenue earner, Monaco’s economy experienced a severe recession stemming from the Coronavirus (COVID-19)…

Malta is mostly free, helping businesses to flourish, but corruption is relatively widespread compared to regional peers. Foreign investors flock to the island, eager to participate in the financial services sector, but dependence on tourism and…

A lack of corruption, government stability, and high levels of economic freedom characterise Luxembourg. Strength in financial services and adaption to remote working has served the economy well, which could outperform peers going forward.…

Liechtenstein showcases governmental stability, minimal corruption, and high economic freedom. Its robust financial sector and swift adaptation to remote work fuel its economy, potentially outpacing peers. However, an aging population may strain…

Iceland benefits from its low levels of corruption, political stability and economic freedom. The economy is set for a strong performance, leans heavily on sectors like tourism and fishing, alongside a stable currency and progressive tax incentives…

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

Cyprus is relatively free and peaceful, but disputes over offshore hydrocarbon resources remain heated. Economic growth is forecast to slow down over the near term, while inflation is set to decline and remain below the regional average. Ageing is…

Andorra is a politically stable country, but public finances have been weakened by the costs of fighting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The economy swiftly recovered from the pandemic, but the country is considerably exposed, due to…

Corruption amongst high-ranking state officials has heightened political instability in Portugal, whilst public debt remains elevated. Economic momentum is slowing, but inflation has fallen markedly and technological prowess is supporting foreign…

Although Austria enjoys solid economic freedom and a strong rule of law, a shift to the far right could create policymaking instability. Whilst unemployment is relatively low and inflation is falling, the economy is set for a marked slowdown in the…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

As one of the freest countries in the world, Ireland’s private sector enjoys considerable economic freedom, whilst state finances are solid. Robust economic momentum is giving way to a slowdown, as inflationary pressures persist, although exports…

Although state finances are improving and political stability has returned, Greece continues to have an issue with corruption. Economic development is set to slow further, but inflation has also fallen markedly, but high unemployment remains a…

Forming a coalition with the far right could create policy disagreements, but Finland continues to have considerable economic freedom and limited corruption. The economy has slowed significantly, owing to a weak external sector resulting from the war…

The global economy is facing weaker growth and increasing fragmentation, as a result of rising geopolitical tensions, especially due to the war in Ukraine and the US-China strategic rivalry. Protectionism, industrial policy and a focus on resilience…

Although the political scene is facing instability, Sweden will soon join NATO, whilst its state finances remain sustainable. A slowing economy has been hampered by elevated food and energy prices, but inflation is falling and infrastructure upgrades…

Denmark enjoys considerable economic freedom and is one of the least corrupt countries globally, but the income tax burden is high. The economy is slowing markedly, but inflation has retreated and unemployment is lower than peers. Although there is a…

Norway enjoys considerable economic freedom and adheres strongly to the rule of law, whilst state finances are in rude health. Output development is slowing, owing to challenges for the global economy, but inflation is under control and exports have…

The United Kingdom’s (UK) political landscape has been volatile, whilst Brexit continues to weigh on economic freedom. Owing to high inflation that has eroded consumer purchasing power and business investment, economic output is set to slow markedly,…

Although the tax burden is increasing, the Netherlands continues to enjoy significant economic freedom and solid state finances. High prices have negatively impacted economic momentum, but inflation is falling and unemployment is low. The quality of…

Switzerland is one of the world’s most democratic countries, with extensive economic freedom and strong state finances. Although inflation is under control, economic growth is set to slow further. Consumer market appeal continues to be supported by…

Whilst some aspects of economic freedom require improvement and corruption is growing, as is political instability, Belgium enjoys a strong rule of law. Inflation has been falling, but the economy is underperforming the peer average, although it is…

Turkey is facing rising authoritarianism, along with the undermining of its secular society and democracy. Earthquakes in early 2023 are to negatively affect economic development considerably and increase state spending, whilst they have also clouded…

The global energy crisis has had far-reaching implications for consumers, businesses and entire economies, highlighting the importance of the global energy transition and boosting energy efficiency, while creating opportunities for innovation and…

Cities are hubs for spending, with 80% of expenditure expected to be generated by urban areas in 2023. Spending growth in 2023 will, however, be sluggish, as cost of living challenges force consumers to be more conservative in their expenditure. Over…

Spain is suffering from a bout of political instability and economic freedom has worsened. Although economic development is slowing down, it continues to attract foreign investors. However, high, albeit falling, inflation has taken its toll on…

Relatively high taxes and a lack of fiscal discipline are negatively affecting economic freedom, whilst France is prone to significant social unrest. Economic momentum is slowing, as higher borrowing costs adversely impact investment and confidence,…

Although ‘mostly free’ for economic freedom and state finances have been improving, more corruption has been observed and its terrorism ranking has been deteriorating. Inflation is retreating, but economic growth is moderating, whilst energy import…

Italy’s high public debt is a threat to stability and negatively affects economic freedom, but anti-corruption legislation has been reinforced. Economic growth is forecast to be subdued, as rising borrowing costs bite, and foreign investment is…

Global consumers are struggling with the cost of living crisis, as inflation remains high while household income growth lags. Consumers are adopting recessionary habits, such as trading down and being more selective in their spending. Rather than…