Spain Ends 2016 With Record Exports, But Non-Energy External Balance Weaker
Spain’s trade deficit declined 22.4% to 18.754 billion euros in 2016, the second smallest figure since 1997, thanks to record exports.
Spanish economy
The downward manipulation of Spanish public debt
There are some items of Spanish public debt which are eliminated from Bank of Spain’s accounts, reducing the total figure. In other words, 450 billion euros ignored. Basically, what is being removed is public companies’ debt, the debt issued by a public institution in the hands of another public institution, as well as other adjustments, which really should not be discounted.
Spanish Second-hand homes’ market prices rise 7.37% thanks to investor interest
Miguel Ángel Tramullas | The price of second-hand homes is recovering in Spain, in part driven by the interest of investors who are buying in the big cities to then rent the property out, as a viable option given the lack of alternative investments.
Ex-Bank of Spain governor will testify in Bankia case despite successor’s attempts to justify
Ex-Bank of Spain governor Miguel Ángel Fernández Ordóñez will testify in the Bankia case despite his successor, Luis Linde’s, attempts to justify the central bank’s actions with regard to Bankia’s IPO.
The Importance Of Housing And The Mortgage System In Spain
Spain’s mortgage system, which is one of the cheapest and with the best financing conditions in Europe, has allowed more than 80% of families to own their own home. So a priority should be put on maintaining the system’s characteristics, in terms of depth and stability.
Spanish Utilities Accuse The Government Of Damaging Their Reputation
The majority of the population in Spain put the blame for their excessively high electricity bills exclusively on the electricity companies which, in the end, only get paid a third of the bill for generation. This situation has enraged the companies who are more and more daring in their criticisms of the government – the current and previous ones – for their energy policies.
The Hole In Spain’s Social Security Is Setting Off Alarm Bells
The Social Security numbers over the last few years are really alarming. Although we still have not had any official confirmation, experts estimate that at end-21016 the system had a hole of nearly 18 billion euros, 40% more than in 2015, and almost six times over budget.
Spain’s Competitiveness Improves As Economic Growth Strengthens
Ofelia Marín- Lozano | The productive model of the future should focus on boosting the country’s competitiveness (where education, the family, discipline and the incentive to do a good job are a necessary start). But sectors like construction should also be encouraged to recover their lost protagonism.
Doubts Over Railway Operator Renfe’s Ability To Make AVE High-Speed Train Profitable
The AVE high-speed train has undoubtedly been one of Spain’s big success stories and very positive for its international image. Spain is not just the European country with the most high speed lines (2,900 km), in front of the pioneer (France), with 2,000, but it has also reached these levels in a little over 30 years. France took 30.
Spain’s Housing Market: The Recovery Continues, The Problems Grow
Julio Rodríguez | The economic recovery continues to boost a market which has seen prices rise 10.8% in the last three years. But this dynamism contrasts with the problems for accessing the housing market which young aspiring home owners are experiencing. A more energetic government policy is required to establish a pool of homes for rent and strengthen the creation of social housing.