Evaluations
Date: 07 oct 2016
Period: 2007-2013
Theme: Evaluation, Structural Funds management and Governance
Languages: en
As a result of the downturn, the employment rate declined between 2007 and 2009, though again by less than in many other Member States, before rising again as recovery occurred. In 2015, it was higher than in 2007. Unemployment increased during the downturn, if only slightly, and remained around 7% of the labour force over much of the period before falling to 5% in 2015.
The public sector balance which was in small deficit in 2007 went into a larger deficit in 2009 (of 5% of GDP) as a result of the recession and the measures taken to counter it, but through fiscal consolidation measures, including cutbacks in government investment, the deficit was progressively reduced over the period.
Regional disparities in GDP per head narrowed slightly over the period, as did those in employment and unemployment rates.