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Cyprus Cuts Debt Ratio To 54.6% In First Quarter Of 2026 As EU Borrowing Rises

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 22, 2026

Cyprus recorded one of the largest annual reductions in government debt across the European Union in the first quarter of 2026, even as debt ratios increased across both the euro area and the bloc, according to Eurostat data released on Tuesday.

The country’s general government gross debt stood at 54.6% of gross domestic product at the end of March, down from 55% in the previous quarter and 62% a year earlier. In absolute terms, government debt edged up slightly to €20.09 billion from €20.08 billion at the end of 2025.

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One Of The EU’s Largest Annual Declines

Cyprus’ debt-to-GDP ratio fell by 7.4 percentage points compared with the first quarter of 2025, marking the second-largest annual decline in the EU behind Greece, where the ratio dropped by 9.4 percentage points.

Debt Ratios Rise Across Europe

The euro area debt ratio increased to 88.9% of GDP at the end of the first quarter from 87.7% in the previous three months, while the EU ratio rose to 82.9% from 81.8%.

Compared with a year earlier, debt levels also increased across both regions, rising from 87.2% to 88.9% in the euro area and from 81.4% to 82.9% across the EU.

Debt Composition

Debt securities remained the largest source of government borrowing, accounting for 84.3% of total debt in the euro area and 83.6% in the EU. Loans represented 13.2% and 13.9%, respectively, while currency and deposits accounted for 2.5% in both regions.

Highest And Lowest Debt Levels

Greece continued to record the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU at 143.5%, followed by Italy (138.9%), France (117.6%), Belgium (109.1%) and Spain (101.6%).

Estonia had the lowest ratio at 25.2%, ahead of Denmark (26.8%), Bulgaria (28.5%) and Luxembourg (29.2%).

Quarterly And Annual Changes

Compared with the final quarter of 2025, debt ratios increased in 17 EU member states and declined in eight. The largest quarterly increases were recorded in Hungary, Lithuania and Luxembourg, while Greece posted the biggest decline, followed by Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Slovenia.

On an annual basis, 19 member states reported higher debt ratios than a year earlier, while eight recorded declines. Finland, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and France saw the largest increases.

Cyprus posted the EU’s second-largest annual reduction in government debt relative to GDP, behind only Greece.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.