Written by Marcin Cesluk-Grajewski

The European Commission upgraded its growth forecast for the euro area on 5 February, saying that cheaper oil, a weaker euro and more expansionary policy of the European Central Bank should stimulate economic expansion. Presenting its winter forecast , the Commission said it expected the euro area’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 1.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent in 2015 and 2016 respectively, up from its previous forecasts of 1.1 per cent and 1.7 percent. In the whole European Union, growth is expected at 1.7 per cent and 2.1 per cent in this and next year respectively.
Researchers and analysts in outside think tanks paint many different pictures when they assess the economic situation and prospects for future of the euro area. Their various diagnoses of the currency area’s economic sluggishness include overregulation, insufficient investment in innovation, ageing populations, excessive austerity, inadequate action by the European Central Bank, flaws in the euro area’s governance and fiscal irresponsibility of certain governments.
This ‘At a glance’ note offers links to a selection of commentaries, studies and reports by some of the major international think tanks and research institutes that analyse prospects for growth in Europe and related issues.
Commentaries
The euro zone’s German problem
Centre for European Reform (CER), October 20, 2014
How far can investments in R&D fuel economic growth in Europe?
Friends of Europe, October 3, 2014
The Transatlantic growth gap
Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), August 5, 2014
Three Scenarios for Europe
Brookings Institution, November 4, 2014
An investment new deal for Europe
Brookings Institution, September 7, 2014
How to pull the euro zone out of the mire
Centre for European Reform (CER), September 26, 2014
The euro zone is no place for poor countries
Centre for European Reform (CER), June 27, 2014
Analyses
Escaping a stagnation trap: policy option for the euro area and Japan
OECD, January, 2015
Economic survey for the euro area
OECD, April, 2014
Rebuilding Europe’s common future: combining growth and reform in the euro area
Peterson Institute for International Economics, December, 2014
Is Europe’s economic stagnation inevitable or policy driven?
Centre for European Reform, December 23, 2014
Investment as the key to recovery in the euro area?
Centre for European Policy Studies, November 18, 2014
The growth challenge for Europe and the European Monetary Union
European Policy Centre, October 1, 2014
Europe’s social problem and its implications for economic growth
Bruegel, April 1, 2014
Europe’s growth problem (and what to do about it)
Bruegel, April 12, 2014
Related publications
Austerity and poverty in the European Union
Bruegel, September 15, 2014
EU to DO 2015-2019: memos to the new EU leadership
Bruegel, September 4, 2014
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