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Economic Outlook
A turning point in the global outlook?
Global growth is weak at the moment. However, there are signs that 2023 could uncork positive surprises, as mild weather has eased the energy crisis in Europe and China is set to rebound after ending its zero-COVID policy. From the financial markets’ perspective, one of the key questions is how easily inflation will come down in 2023.
Weaker purchasing power will dampen consumer spending in Norway, and unemployment may rise from a very low level. But we think the Norwegian economy will fare better than many other countries, one reason being sharply higher activity in the petroleum sector.
Lower prices and stagnating turnover are dominating the Danish housing market. The decline is especially caused by rapidly rising interest rates, and it is expected to continue until 2024. However, the starting point is strong, and that is why the situation after the financial crisis will not likely be repeated.
The outlook for the Swedish economy is worrying. After many years of debt build-up, the resultant vulnerability is now being tested and will contribute to a decline in the economy in 2023.
Swedish pay talks in the new inflation environment
Half of all wage earners will get new wage deals in early 2023. The unions’ wage claim is 4.4%, while employers’ bid is 2.0% and a one-off amount of SEK 3,000.
The Danish economy is clearly positioned for a period with lower activity. However, there is a risk that the slowdown will be self-reinforcing – not least in the housing market where a significant correction of market prices is taking place.
Public spending in Finland has increased so much that the government budget is in balance only when the economy is in an upswing and interest rates are at zero. Large-scale fiscal adjustments are needed to return public finances to a sustainable footing.
The Finnish economy is headed towards a mild recession this winter, but for the full year we forecast zero growth. Consumer purchasing power is constrained at the moment, but easing inflation and rising salaries will boost private consumption towards the end of the year.
Nordea Economic Outlook: Another volatile year ahead?
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Although industrial production has been running at full capacity this year, manufacturing output and goods exports volumes are still below the levels seen in 2008. This is due to the fact that production capacity has fallen and the share of value added to the economy by manufacturing has decreased permanently.
Economic growth was strong in the first half of the year but is showing signs of weakness towards the end of the year. High energy prices are sapping consumers’ purchasing power at the same time as the slowdown in global economic growth is hampering exports. Meanwhile, falling housing sales will slow down construction.
Sweden's economy is weakening from a strong position
Rate hikes and high inflation are putting a damper on the Swedish economy, and unemployment will rise. A stabilisation is expected during 2024, but the recovery will be slow as the economy gradually adjusts to higher interest rates.