Economic outlook, Spain
In 2020, the Independent Authority for Fiscal Responsibility (AIReF) forecasts that Spanish GDP will be between -10.1% in the best-case scenario (compared to a preliminary -8.9%) and -12.4% (compared to -11.7%) in the worst case. This will depend on the duration of the pandemic, and its capacity for the recovery of economic activity. The downward revision for the forecasts is due to a bigger contraction than expected in Q2 2020 because of a background of negative development in activity by the main Spanish sectors and international tourism.
For its part, it foresees that Public Administrations deficit will be between 11.9% of GDP (compared to a previous estimate of 10.9%) and 14.4% (compared to 13.8%).
This increase in the deficit can be explained by the deterioration of economic forecasts and expected increases in public spending (the Adjustable Minimum Living Wage, an extension of the Short-time work schemes, and an extension and reformulation of allowances for freelancers).
At the same time, it forecasts that public debt will be between 117.6% and 123.2% of GDP.
Foreign trade, Spain
Between January and May 2020, in a context marked by the COVID-19 crisis, exports of Spanish goods fell 17.2% year-on-year (compared to +1.9% from January-May in 2019), reaching €101.5 billion. This contraction exceeded that of the Eurozone (-13.9%) and the EU (-12.9%).
Exports to EU-27 countries (59.8% of the total) fell 16.7% year-on-year and those outside the EU (40.2% of the total) fell 17.8% year-on-year.
Imports of goods decreased by 18.5% (compared to +2.5%) to €110.5 billion. As a result, the trade deficit fell 31.3% year-onyear to €9.1 billion.
CPI, Spain
In June, the month in which most lockdown measures were relaxed, the Spanish CPI fell 0.3% year-on-year (compared to -0.9% from the previous month), against an increase of 0.3% in the Eurozone, and 0.8% in the EU. The smaller CPI decrease in June with respect to May can be explained by inflationary pressures from the prices of fuels for transport, and those of electricity and heating oil. On the other hand, the growth rate for the prices of food and drinks was less intense, but their contribution to inflation was negative.
Foreign trade in goods, EU
In May, EU goods exports slumped 29.7% year-on-year, to €129.8 billion, following 5 months of consecutive falls. Imports fell 26.2% year-on-year to €122.6 billion, accumulating three months of decreases. As a result, the EU trade deficit fell 61.5% year-on-year to $7.1 billion (0.04% of GDP).
From January to May, exports fell 12.9% compared to the same period in 2019 (to €767.7 billion) and imports by 12.7% (€712.9 billion).
Countries in the region that have suffered the biggest negative impact in trade flows during this period are:
Monthly GDP, UK
In May, British GDP registered a positive monthly rate of 1.8% after the historic collapse in March and April (-6.9% and -20.3% respectively). Growth in May was less than the 5.5% forecast by Reuters, indicating a slower economic recovery than expected.
By sectors, industry grew 8.5% monthly, and construction by 8.2%. However, in spite of this development, production in construction and manufacturing industry was 39% and 22% (respectively) below the levels fof February.
The services sector rose slightly by 0.8%, far from the 4.9% forecast before the reopening of businesses in May. The sector remains 24.4% below levels prior to the crisis.
Economic recovery, China
In Q2 2020, during the process of economic reopening after overcoming the first wave of cases, Chinese GDP bounced back with 11.5% quarterly, compensating for the 10.7% fall registered in Q1 2020. In year-on-year terms, the Chinese economy grew by 3.2% compared to -6.8% in the previous quarter.
Although the advance would suggest a ‘V’ shaped recovery, available economic data up until now shows inconsistent improvement. While supply remains stable, internal demand is still showing signs of weakness.
Industrial production registered a yearly increase of 4.4% after a fall of 7.7% in the previous quarter. On the other hand, retail trade fell 3.9% (-9.4% in Q2 2020).
The weakness of domestic consumption was also reflected in the foreign sector. Exports showed a slight year-on-year increase of 0.2% (compared to -13.4% in Q1 2020), although imports shrank 9.7% (compared to -2.9% in Q1 2020).
