In the first half of 2015, Euro area economy grew 0,5 % in the first quarter and 0,4 % in the second. Especially Spain has been growing rapidly after all the hard years it has lived through. In Euro area, unemployment is slowly declining, although from high levels. Improved employment, lowered oil price and low interest rates have increased household real income and consumption.
In the corporate sector, investments have been supported by accommodative monetary policy and improving financial conditions. Although investments have been very low for a long time, there is finally some positive signs available. Looking at the European Central Bank Staff projections from September, Euro area GDP growth rate is projected to pick up from 1,4 % in 2015 to 1,8 % in 2017.