Economic forecasts, Spain
The Bank of Spain is considering two scenarios on the future evolution of GDP depending on how the Covid-19 pandemic develops. In scenario 11, GDP is forecast to fall 10.5% in 2020, and will increase 7.3% in 2021. In scenario 22, the forecasts are worse, with a fall of 12.6% in 2020, and an increase of 4.1% in 2021. The effects of the European recovery program, Next Generation EU, are not included in either scenario.
In reference to the job market, in scenario 1, the unemployment rate (contained through the furlough scheme and the drop in activity in Q2 2020, is set to reach 17.1% of the workforce in 2020, and 19.4% in 2021. In the worst-case scenario, this could go as high as 18.6% in 2020 and 22.1% in 2021.
The forecasts for the public deficit have worsened as a result of the increase in spending from the measures applied to mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on the economy (the extension of the furlough scheme, the subsistence income and the Autonomous
Community Fund). In Scenario 1, the deficit will reach -10.8% of GDP in 2020 and -7% in 2021. In scenario 2, it will be -12.1% of GDP and -9.9% respectively. For its part, pubic debt is expected to increase considerably in both scenarios. It could reach 116.8% or 120.6% of GDP in 2020 according to the scenario in question, and 115.4% or 125.6% in 2021.
Pension expenditure, Spain
In September, Social Security pension expenditure increased 2.3% year-on-year (vs. 5% in September 2019), to a total of €9.9 billion. At the same time, the number of pensions grew 0.05% year-on-year (vs. 1.2% for September 2019), to 9,765,352.
The average pension for the whole system reached €1,014.96 monthly, which represents a 2.2% year-on-year increase. Of the total pension expenditure, 71.7% correspond to retirements, that increased 2.8% year-on-year (€7.1 billion).
HICP, Spain
In September, the advanced HICP (Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices) indicator remained stable, registering a monthly rate of 0% and -0.6% in year-on-year terms. This development was affected by falling fuel prices compared to the increase from last year, while electricity prices rose, and package holidays moderated their fall compared to September 2019.
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Economic sentiment
In September, the Eurozone Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) improved for the fifth consecutive month, although at a slower rate due to the uncertainty generated
by the new wave of Covid-19 cases. Specifically, the ESI advanced 3.6 points to 91.1, still below the levels prior to the crisis.
By sectors, the confidence of the service sector stands out, which although increasing 6.1 points, remains in negative levels (-11.1), fundamentally due to the uncertainty
generated in business as a result of the new outbreaks.
By countries, the main economies in the region presented a mixed performance. In Germany, the index increase was below the European average, but despite this, it was
consolidated in higher values (1.2 points to 95.5). In Italy and France, the index improved significantly, registering increases of 8.4 and 5.8 points respectively (to 89 and 96.6 points). For its part, Spain registered a slight increase of 1.6 points, reaching 89.7 points.
GDP, UK
In Q2 2020, according to definitive data published by the Office for National Statistics (the ONS), the British economy contracted 19.8% quarterly (-20.4% in the initial estimate). In year-on-year terms, the fall was 21.5%.
This represents the second quarter of GDP contraction accumulated by the UK, and takes it back to 2003 levels.
By demand components, household consumption fell 23.6% quarterly, and gross fixed capital formation by 21.6%.
By sectors, the construction industry was the sector most affected with a quarterly drop of 35.7%, followed by the service sector (-19.2%) and the industrial sector (-16.3%).
In comparison to the main European economies, the UK is the country whose GDP fell the most in Q2, ahead of Spain (-17.8%) and France (-13.8%).
Industrial activity, China
In September, China’s manufacturing PMI registered a slight increase to 51.5 points (vs. 51 points in August).
This represents 7 consecutive increases that the index has accumulated according to data published by China’s National Bureau of Statistics. In the sub-indexes, production and new orders increased positively. On the other hand, job creation and the supply of raw materials is still registering values below 50 points.
