Europe and Central Asia enter 2026 with a slowing economy
According to the latest World Bank report "Global Economic Prospects," the economic growth rate in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is expected to fall to 2.4% in 2025. The main factor contributing to this decline has been the drop in private consumption, especially in Russia, where a tight monetary policy continues to impact economic activity. In the first half of the year, there was moderate growth in trade, largely driven by anticipatory purchases ahead of potential tariff increases.