GOVERNMENT DEBT AT 88.8 % OF GDP IN EURO AREA | HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS WORLDWIDE

What happened: Eurostat reported that euro area general government gross debt rose to 88.8% of GDP at the end of the second quarter of 2026, up from 88.4% at the end of the first quarter. Key numbers: Euro area 88.8% versus 88.4% prior quarter and 87.3% a year earlier. EU 82.9% versus 82.5% and 81.4%. Why it matters: The ratio increased both quarter on quarter and year on year in the euro area and the EU. Fifteen Member States posted quarterly increases, with the largest in Poland at +3.0 percentage points, while Greece recorded the largest yearly decrease at -11.2 percentage points.

Eurostat reported that euro area general government gross debt rose to 88.8% of GDP at the end of the second quarter of 2026, up from 88.4% at the end of the first quarter.

The ratio increased both quarter on quarter and year on year in the euro area and the EU. Fifteen Member States posted quarterly increases, with the largest in Poland at +3.0 percentage points, while Greece recorded the largest yearly decrease at -11.2 percentage points.