Eastern Europe / Data
Ukraine records lowest inflation in over three years
Ukraine's inflation rate dropped to its lowest level in more than three years in March 2024, marking a significant slowdown in consumer price growth, according to data released by the State Statistics Service.
Where Nato has an enhanced forward presence
On Monday, 8 April, Germany sent an advance team of 20 soldiers to Lithuania, laying the groundwork for the recently discussed establishment of a permanent brigade in the Nato country, Statista reports.
The ruble overtakes the yuan as Russia's main currency for settling international trade deals
The ruble is rising to become the main currency for settling Russia’s foreign trade payments, reducing the role of the Chinese yuan in the process, the Central Bank of Russia reported on April 8.
Summer starts as EU gas tanks start to fill again
Winter is over, as the EU gas tanks switch from withdrawals to filling mode again in preparation for next winter. Injection into the gas tanks started on April 1, a week earlier than in 2023 and started at an all-time high record level of 59.3% full.
Russia’s manufacturing PMI in March hits record high
Russia’s manufacturing sector in March 2024 continued to see a sharp improvement in its health, according to latest PMI reports from S&P Global.
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Ukraine's banking sector to have another strong year
Ukraine’s banking sector had a strong year in 2023, ending with a cumulative UAH85.5bn profit, despite taking a UAH44bn hit in December when the banks were forced to pay a 50% one-off tax on profits.
Russian patriotism reaches an all time high – poll
Patriotism in Russia is at an all-time high, according to a recent poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) published on March 29. An overwhelming majority (94%) of Russians identify themselves as “patriots.
Non-resident holders of Russian OFZ fall to 7.2% as state-owned banks take up more slack
The share of non-resident holders of Russian Finance Ministry’s OFZ treasury bills fell again in February to 7.2%, or RUB1.4 trillion, of the total outstanding bonds worth RUB20.1 trillion ($217bn), as Russia’s state-owned banks take up the slack.
Russia could pay off its entire external debt tomorrow, in cash
Russia external debt has been falling steadily and reached $326.6bn in December 2023, compared with $322.3bn in the previous quarter and $383.6bn at the end of 2022. It could pay the entire amount off tomorrow – in cash.
Russian industrial production growth surged in February to 8.5%, easily outstripping analysts’ expectations.
Russian industrial production growth surged in February to 8.5% y/y, easily outstripping analysts' expectations.
Russia's CBR keeps rates on hold at 16%, but inflation expectations starting to fall
Russia’s Central Bank of Russia (CBR) kept rates on hold at 16% as expected at its monetary policy meeting on March 22, despite slowing inflation and falling inflation expectations amongst the population.
Red, yellow, green data: which statistics can you trust in wartime Russia?
The West lashed out at Russia with extreme sanctions in the first week following the invasion of Ukraine and like a fleeing octopus the Kremlin immediately went into dark mode to protect itself. But some data can be trusted.
At least 22mn votes injected into Russia’s presidential election vote count
At least 22mn fake votes were injected into the Russian presidential election vote count, Russian opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta reported on March 20.
Russia’s inflation accelerates to 7.7% in February
Russia’s consumer price inflation in February 2024 accelerated posted 0.68% month on month and accelerated to 7.7% year on year from 7.4% seen in January, according to the latest RosStat data.
BOFIT: Russian population in decline
At the end of last year, Russia has 146.2mn people living permanently in the country. Excluding the Crimea, illegally annexed in 2014, Russia’s 2023 population was about 144 mn. Russia’s population peaked in 1993 at 149 mn and is now declining.
Poll shows Bulgarians have turned against Putin
Bulgaria took a strong pro-Western turn after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s manufacturing PMI surged in February to post 54.7, its best performance in 13 years
Russia’s manufacturing PMI surged in February to post 54.7, up from 52.4 in January, putting in its biggest gains in 13 years, S&P Global reported on March 1.
Annual inflation in Russia remains flat at 7.58% at the end of February
Russia's inflation rate accelerated slightly in the week from February 20 to 26, inching up to 7.58% from 7.57% the previous week, according to the Ministry of Economic Development's latest data.
Russia posts accelerated 4.6% GDP growth in January
Russia's economic growth accelerated in January 2024, expanding by 4.6% y/y, up from a 4.4% increase in December, according to the Russian Ministry of Economic Development.
Russia's industrial production up 4.6% in January
Russia's industrial production accelerated in January to 4.6% y/y, the highest in three months and up from 2.7% in December, Rosstat reported on February 29.