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EXPERT'S COMMENT

Daina Paula

economist, Latvijas Banka

The economic growth rate seen in the first quarter of 2018 gives the impression that "the caravan carries on". However, drivers of growth could not be exactly regarded as ones maintaining the momentum. It is expected that growth in 2018 overall will be slightly slower than last year.

Kristofers Pone

economist, Latvijas Banka

In June, the rise in consumer prices was largely a result of higher energy prices, with an increase in both energy prices themselves and energy-related costs.

Linda Vecgaile

economist, Latvijas Banka

The current account surplus was largely driven by the inflows from the European Union funds in the first quarter of 2018. Although growth in exports of goods and services was slower than in the previous periods, the overall external market demand still remains strong.

Oļegs Krasnopjorovs

economist, Latvijas Banka

The unemployment rate shrank by impressive 1.2 percentage points over the year (to 8.2% of the economically active population).

Daina Pelēce

economist, Latvijas Banka

In the first four months of 2018, the value of exports of goods recorded a year-on-year increase of 9.0%. Although it should be considered a positive result, closer inspection reveals that the overall picture, however, is not as rosy as we would like to think.

Annual inflation (%; CPI)

2017 VI	3.00
2017 VII	2.60
2017 VIII	3.10
2017 IX	2.90
2017 X	2.80
2017 XI	2.70
2017 XII	2.20
2018 I	2.00
2018 II	1.80
2018 III	2.20
2018 IV	2.00
2018 V	2.30
2018 VI	2.80

Foreign direct investment in Latvia (net flows, EUR millions)

Job seekers rate (%)

Exports (year-on-year; %)

2017 IV	0.30
2017 V	10.20
2017 VI	13.10
2017 VII	7.40
2017 VIII	9.20
2017 IX	7.90
2017 X	10.40
2017 XI	15.20
2017 XII	6.70
2018 I	18.10
2018 II	11.00
2018 III	-6.10
2018 IV	15.30