Economists See Slight Improvement in Economic Policy Situation in Western Europe
Economic experts from Western Europe see a slight improvement in the economic policy situation in their region over the previous quarter, finds the Economic Experts Survey (EES) – a global quarterly survey conducted by the ifo Institute and the Swiss Economic Policy Institute. According to the survey, these experts assess economic policy in their region as slightly better than in the previous quarter, at plus 3 points on a scale of minus 100 to plus 100. In Germany, however, local respondents gave economic policy a worse rating of minus 9, while in Austria it was minus 5 and in Switzerland plus 1.
“In the remaining regions of Europe, economic policy is rated worse than in the previous quarter,” says ifo researcher Niklas Potrafke. “Eastern Europe fares much worse at minus 8, Southern Europe is at minus 6, and Northern Europe (including the UK and Ireland) is at minus 1.” France is rated marginally better than in the previous quarter at plus 1, Poland significantly worse at minus 17, and Italy is also rated worse at minus 9.
The experts in Southeast Asia (plus 25), Central America and the Caribbean (plus 24), and West Africa (plus 28) are particularly positive.
With 1,572 participants from 136 countries, the survey was conducted from March 9, 2023, to March 23, 2023.
Economic Experts Survey: Confidence Particularly in Political Stability (1st Quarter 2023)
In the 1st quarter of 2023, Europe and South America in particular were much more critical about overcoming economic policy challenges than in the previous quarter. A similar picture can also be seen in the assessment of political performance in these regions. In contrast, the perception in North and Central America, large parts of Asia, and East and West Africa is that both economic policy and the political situation have improved. With a few exceptions in Southern Europe, experts worldwide see a noticeable improvement in political stability in their home countries.
