Opens in a new tab

Breaking news

Government Debt Climbs In Euro Area And EU In Q2 2025

Overview Of Rising Debt Levels

Government debt, measured as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), increased across both the euro area and the broader European Union at the close of the second quarter of 2025, according to Eurostat. The report underscores a modest yet steady acceleration in debt-to-GDP ratios, with the 20-nation euro area recording an increase from 87.7% in Q1 to 88.2% in Q2 2025, while the overall EU ratio moved from 81.5% to 81.9% during the same period.

Year-Over-Year And Country-Specific Insights

When compared with Q2 2024, both regions experienced similar upward trends. In the euro area, the ratio edged up from 87.7% to 88.2%, and in the EU it rose from 81.2% to 81.9%. The report highlights diverging trends among member states, with Greece (151.2%), Italy (138.3%), France (115.8%), Belgium (106.2%), and Spain (103.4%) reporting the highest levels of debt relative to GDP. Conversely, Estonia (23.2%), Luxembourg (25.1%), Bulgaria (26.3%), and Denmark (29.7%) posted the lowest ratios.

Fifteen member states saw their debt-to-GDP ratios increase on a quarterly basis, with notable jumps in Finland (+4.3 percentage points), Latvia (+2.7 pp), Bulgaria (+2.6 pp), Portugal (+1.8 pp), France (+1.7 pp), and Romania (+1.4 pp). Meanwhile, Lithuania (-1.4 pp), Ireland (-1.2 pp), Greece (-1.1 pp) and Luxembourg (-1.1 pp) recorded declines. On an annual basis, Greece (-8.9 pp), Ireland (-7.2 pp), Cyprus (-6.5 pp), Denmark (-3.5 pp), and Portugal (-2.3 pp) registered significant reductions, with Cyprus marking one of the most substantial decreases alongside overall incremental trends in several countries.

Debt Composition And Intergovernmental Lending

The structure of government debt at the end of Q2 2025 remains predominantly composed of debt securities, which accounted for over 84% in the euro area and approximately 83.7% across the EU. Loans contributed 13.2% and 13.8% in the euro area and EU respectively, with the remaining share consisting of currency and deposits at 2.5% in both regions. Additionally, intergovernmental lending (IGL) was recorded at 1.4% of GDP in the euro area and 1.2% in the EU, reflecting the collaborative fiscal interactions among member state governments.

Conclusion

The latest figures from Eurostat provide a detailed snapshot of evolving fiscal challenges within the euro area and the EU. With several member states contending with rising debt ratios amidst complex economic conditions, policymakers and investors alike will need to monitor these trends closely as they influence fiscal strategies and broader economic stability in the region.

Women Accounted For More Than Half Of Scientists In 10 EU Regions

In Portugal’s Continente region, 265,100 women worked as scientists and engineers in 2025, representing 46% of the total workforce in these occupations.

Across the EU, women made up more than half of all scientists and engineers in 10 regions. Four were located in Spain, two in Portugal and one in Greece. The remaining regions were Poland’s Makroregion centralny, Sweden’s northernmost region and France’s outermost regions.

Most of these areas had relatively small numbers of scientists and engineers overall. Spain’s Noreste region was the largest, with 102,700 women in these occupations, accounting for 51% of its total workforce.

Women’s Representation Varies Across Europe

The figures highlight considerable regional differences in both the number of women working in science and engineering and their share of the overall workforce.

Cyprus remains below the EU average, with women accounting for 37.8% of scientists and engineers. However, this share is broadly comparable to that of Île-de-France, one of Europe’s largest centres of scientific and engineering employment.

eCredo
Uol
Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter