According to the first estimate released by the State Bureau of Statistics (DZS) on 29 August, due to increased consumption and investments, the Croatian economy continued to grow in the 2Q2023, marking the 10th consecutive quarter of growth, although at a slightly slower rate of 2.7% on an annual basis -- nevertheless, the growth rate outpaces the European Union (EU) average, Croatian media report.The DZS data show that the 2.7% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2Q2023 can be attributed to the growth in most components of the GDP, especially in consumption and investments.According to DZS data, household consumption, the largest component of GDP, increased by 2.3% in 2Q2023 compared to the same period a year ago, but slightly faster than the 1.4% growth in 1Q2023. However, gross fixed capital investments, on the other hand, increased by only 3.2%year-on-year in 2Q2023, which was slower than the 3.9% growth in 1Q2023.Meanwhile, Government spending also increased by 0.3% in 2Q2023, after strengthening by 2.2% in 1Q2023.     Exports of goods and services declined by 1.6% year-on-year in 2Q2023, after having recorded strong growth in 1Q2023. Goods exports fell by 9.7%, while services exports increased by 8.3%. Imports of goods and services decreased by 3.6% simultaneously, significantly more than the previous quarter's 0.8% decline. Goods imports dropped by 7.3%, while services imports increased by 23.9%.According to seasonally adjusted data, the economy grew by 2.5% on an annual basis in 2Q2023, and was also up by 1.1% quarter-on-quarter.The growth rate in 2Q2023 outpaces the EU average since Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, recently reported the EU economy having stagnated in 2Q2023 compared to the previous quarter, but it grew by 0.5% year-on-year. Meanwhile, the euro zone economy grew in 2Q2023 by 0.3% on a quarterly basis and by 0.6% on an annual basis. (ICE ZAGABRIA)

Fonte notizia: HRT online edition 29/8/2023