Serbia Seen Resuming Rate Cuts After Long Pause: Decision Guide
Serbia is poised to cut borrowing costs for the first time since September as inflation approaches the central bank's target and economic growth slows.
The National Bank of Serbia is likely to reduce its one-week repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 5.5%, according to 11 of 18 economists in a Bloomberg survey. The rest expect policymakers to keep the benchmark on hold, even after the European Central Bank, which Serbia monitors closely for direction, continued to reduce rates last week.
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How has wealth inequality changed across Europe since the 2008 crisis?
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Looking at the change in the Gini Index between 2008 and 2023, Finland recorded the highest increase, rising by 21%, from 53 to 64. Spain followed closely, with a 20% increase, from 47 to 57. Italy also saw a notable rise of around 15%, going from 50 to 57, while Denmark's index increased by 11%, from 56 to 62. According to the UBS report, wealth inequality also increased in the UK by roughly 8% and in France by 5% between 2008 and 2023. Sweden, which had the highest Gini Index among the countries examined, saw only a slight rise of 1% during this period. Wealth inequality declined in five out of the 12 countries examined. Belgium saw the largest drop, with an 11% decrease in its Gini Index—from 51 to 46. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland each recorded a roughly 5% decline, while the Netherlands saw a 4% reduction over the same period. 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