Consumption in Spain

Spain - Consumption
Economy continues to expand despite sharp contraction in domestic demand in Q4
According to a preliminary estimate, GDP rose 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis in Q4 2022, matching the increase recorded in Q3. An improved performance of net exports a faster increase in public expenditure offset a sharp contraction in consumer spending and a more pronounced decline in fixed investment. In year-on-year terms, the economy grew 2.7% in Q4, down from Q3’s 4.8% expansion.
Private spending shrank 1.8% on a quarterly basis—following a 1.8% expansion in Q3—amid soaring core inflation, depressed sentiment, depleted savings and worsening labor market dynamics. Meanwhile, fixed investment fell 3.8% (Q3: -0.6% qoq), weighed down by faster contractions in housing investment and machinery and equipment investment—likely due to tighter financing conditions and market-unfriendly policy measures. Meanwhile, government consumption increased 1.9% from the prior quarter (Q3: +1.6% s.a. qoq) as the government loosened the purse string ahead of 2023’s electoral cycle.
Meanwhile, the external sector supported the economy as exports shrank less than imports: Exports of goods and services dipped 1.1% in seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter terms (Q3: +0.4% s.a. qoq). In comparison, imports were down 4.2% in quarterly terms (Q3: +3.1% s.a. qoq) amid shrinking domestic demand.
The economy looks set to contract in the first quarter of this year. Stubbornly-high core inflation, downbeat consumer confidence and a worsening labor market seem set to weigh on household spending. At the same time, investment activity will likely suffer from the effects of higher interest rates, erratic policy measures and global headwinds. Looking further ahead, the electoral cycle in 2023 should keep government spending elevated, translating into subdued investment activity and weak consumer spending.
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists project that GDP will expand 1.1% in 2023, which is down 0.3 percentage points from last month’s forecast, and 2.1% in 2024.
Spain - Consumption Data
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Consumption (annual variation in %) | 2.9 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 1.1 |
Spain Facts
Value | Change | Date | |
---|---|---|---|
Bond Yield | 0.46 | 5.62 % | Dec 31 |
Exchange Rate | 1.12 | 0.65 % | Dec 31 |
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Economic News
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Spain: Retail sales improve in December
February 1, 2023
Retail sales rose 3.5% year on year in December 2022 (November: -0.7% yoy).
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Spain: Current account surplus widens in November
February 1, 2023
The current account recorded a EUR 5.6 billion surplus in November, improving from the EUR 2.7 billion surplus clocked in October (November 2021: EUR 1.6 billion surplus).
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Spain: Economy continues to expand despite sharp contraction in domestic demand in Q4
January 27, 2023
According to a preliminary estimate, GDP rose 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis in Q4 2022, matching the increase recorded in Q3.
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Spain: Unemployment rate rises in fourth quarter of the year
January 26, 2023
The jobless rate rose to 12.9% in Q4 from 12.7% in Q3.
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Spain: Industrial output falls at sharpest pace since February 2021 in November
January 16, 2023
Industrial output dropped 1.1% year-on-year in seasonally and calendar-adjusted terms in November, which contrasted October's 2.1% increase.