Prices at the Pumps - April 17, 2024 #saltwire #energymarkets #pricesatthepumps #gaspricesATHENS - A decade ago, Greece was in the throes of a devastating debt crisis marked by years of austerity, hardship and unrest. Now, officials and investors say 2024 could be the year its rebound is finally complete.
After years shut off from international markets, Greece returned to investment grade credit rating in 2023. When the state's bailout fund last month sold its stake in Piraeus Bank, one of the country's largest, the sale was oversubscribed eight times. More than half of foreign direct investment into Greece, which totalled about 7.5 billion euros in 2022, comes from northern European countries like France and Germany that are struggling with weak growth. Greek exports, such as agricultural goods, fuel and pharmaceutical products - two thirds of which head to the EU - fell almost 9% last year. Economic growth slowed to 2% in 2023, partly a result of its lagging neighbours.
Since Greece emerged from the bailout in 2018 it has revived its banking system and has relied solely on debt markets for its borrowing needs. In 2022, it paid off the IMF two years ahead of schedule. Unemployment remains above 10%, the second highest in the EU after Spain, and GDP per capita in purchasing power is among the lowest in the bloc, Eurostat data show. The average monthly salary of 1,175 euros is 20% lower than 15 years ago, according to labour ministry figures.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: SaltWire Network - 🏆 45. / 63 Read more »
Source: SaltWire Network - 🏆 45. / 63 Read more »
Source: SaltWire Network - 🏆 45. / 63 Read more »
Source: SaltWire Network - 🏆 45. / 63 Read more »
Source: SaltWire Network - 🏆 45. / 63 Read more »
Source: SaltWire Network - 🏆 45. / 63 Read more »