HELSINKI: The European Commission (EC) estimates that the Finnish economy will grow next year by 0.8 percent. By the end of 2018, the growth is forecast at 1.1 percent. The Commission expects modest growth from the European economy. Despite recent improve-ments in the labour market and growth in private consumption, obstacles still exist, and some of the supporting factors such as the drop in oil prices have weakened, the Commission said.
Eurozone growth is forecast for 1.5 percent next year and 1.7 percent in 2018. Next year’s esti-mate has fallen by 0.3 percentage points from the previous forecast. The Commission estimates that Finland’s general gross debt will increase to 68.1 percent of GDP in 2018. Eurozone public debt at the same time will fall to about 89.4 percent of GDP.
