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EU Agricultural Sector Sees Continued Decline In Output Value In 2024


The European Union’s agricultural sector experienced a modest contraction in 2024, with the overall output value declining by 0.9 percent from the previous year, according to Eurostat. This marks the second successive year of a downturn since the sector reached its peak output value in 2022.

Overview Of The Sector Performance

The total value of agricultural output for the EU in 2024 was reported at €531.9 billion in basic prices, down from €536.7 billion in 2023. Analysts attributed this decline primarily to a 1.8 percent drop in nominal prices for agricultural goods and services, despite a modest 1.0 percent increase in the volume of output.

Country-Specific Developments

While output values rose in 15 EU countries, notable increases were recorded in Ireland (8.9 percent), Croatia (8.8 percent), and Sweden (5.0 percent). In contrast, significant contractions occurred in France, Romania, and Bulgaria, with declines of 9.0 percent, 8.5 percent, and 8.0 percent respectively, underscoring divergent regional performance across the bloc.

Sectoral Contributions And Trends

Crops accounted for approximately half of the total output (50.3 percent or €267.7 billion), although this segment experienced a 3.1 percent decrease from 2023. Conversely, animal and animal product outputs, representing 41.1 percent of the total value at €218.8 billion, saw growth of 1.9 percent. The remaining 8.5 percent of the total value was derived from agricultural services and secondary activities, which registered a slight decline of 0.6 percent, totaling €45.4 million.

Improved Efficiency And Value Addition

The report also noted a 3.7 percent decline in non-investment agricultural input costs, or intermediate consumption, which amounted to €303.3 billion in 2024. This reduction, combined with shifts in the output values, led to a 3.1 percent increase in the gross value added by the agriculture sector, ultimately rising to €228.6 billion. Such dynamics highlight the sector’s ongoing efforts to enhance overall efficiency and value creation amidst challenging market conditions.


Strained Household Finances: Eurostat Data Reveals Persistent Payment Delays Across Europe and in Cyprus

Improved Financial Resilience Amid Ongoing Strains

Over the past decade, Cypriot households have significantly increased their ability to manage debts—not only bank loans but also rent and utility bills. However, recent Eurostat data indicates that Cyprus continues to lag behind the European average when it comes to covering financial obligations on time.

Household Coping Strategies and the Limits of Payment Flexibility

While many families are managing their fixed expenses with relative ease, one in three Cypriots struggles to cover unexpected costs. This delicate balancing act highlights how routine payments such as mortgage installments, rent, and utility bills are met, but precariously so, with little room for unplanned financial shocks.

Breaking Down Payment Delays Across the European Union

Eurostat reports that nearly 9.2% of the EU population experienced delays with their housing loans, rent, utility bills, or installment payments in 2024. The situation is more acute among vulnerable groups: 17.2% of individuals in single-parent households with dependent children and 16.6% in households with two adults managing three or more dependents faced payment delays. In every EU nation, single-parent households exhibited higher delay rates compared to the overall population.

Cyprus in the Crosshairs: High Rates of Financial Delays

Although Cyprus recorded a notable 19.1 percentage point improvement from 2015 to 2024 in delays related to mortgages, rent, and utility bills, the island nation still ranks among the top five countries with the highest delay rates. As of 2024, 12.5% of the Cypriot population had outstanding housing loans or rent and overdue utility bills. In contrast, Greece tops the list with 42.8%, followed by Bulgaria (18.7%), Romania (15.3%), Spain (14.2%), and other EU members. Notably, 19 out of 27 EU countries reported delay rates below 10%, with Czech Republic (3.4%) and Netherlands (3.9%) leading the pack.

Selective Improvements and Emerging Concerns

Between 2015 and 2024, the overall EU population saw a 2.6 percentage point decline in payment delays. Despite this, certain countries experienced increases: Luxembourg (+3.3 percentage points), Spain (+2.5 percentage points), and Germany (+2.0 percentage points) saw a rise in payment delays, reflecting underlying economic pressures that continue to challenge financial stability.

Economic Insecurity and the Unprepared for Emergencies

Another critical indicator explored by Eurostat is the prevalence of economic insecurity—the proportion of the population unable to handle unexpected financial expenses. In 2024, 30% of the EU population reported being unable to cover unforeseen costs, a modest improvement of 1.2 percentage points from 2023 and a significant 7.4 percentage point drop compared to a decade ago. In Cyprus, while 34.8% still report difficulty handling emergencies, this marks a drastic improvement from 2015, when the figure stood at 60.5%.

A Broader EU Perspective

Importantly, no EU country in 2024 had more than half of its population facing economic insecurity—a notable improvement from 2015, when over 50% of the population in nine countries reported such challenges. These figures underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities within European households, urging policymakers to consider targeted measures for enhancing financial resilience.

For further insights and detailed analysis, refer to the original reports on Philenews and Housing Loans.

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