Current Account Balance in Euro Area
The economy expanded a timid 0.1% in seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter terms in Q1, following Q4 2022’s 0.1% contraction. Business and consumer sentiment strengthened in the quarter, while inflation declined, which will have supported activity. Moreover, a strong Easter tourism season in the Mediterranean countries lent decisive support to the economy. However, a weaker industrial sector in the currency union weighed on the overall economic performance. Moving to Q2, momentum seemingly remains subdued. The lagged effects of previous rate hikes by the ECB and declining savings and purchasing power will be taking a toll on the economy. That said, the services PMI averaged higher in April-May than in Q1, as did consumer sentiment. On the other hand, the manufacturing PMI fell further into contractionary terrain in May, dragged down by sharper declines in output and new orders.
Euro Area Current Account Balance Chart
This chart displays Current Account Balance (EUR bn) for Euro Area from 2013 to 2022.
Euro Area Current Account Balance Data
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Account Balance (EUR bn) | 351 | 338 | 283 | 183 | 282 |