Eurozone business activity grows at fastest pace in 17 months

VTV.vn - Eurozone business activity increased at the fastest rate in 17 months in October, thanks to Germany's solid recovery, although France continued to weaken due to political instability.

People shop at a supermarket in Berlin, Germany. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

A survey published on October 24 showed that business activity in the eurozone grew at its fastest pace in 17 months in October 2025, despite a gloomy outlook in France due to lingering political uncertainty.

The preliminary Eurozone Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) compiled by market research firm S&P Global rose to 52.2 this month from 51.2 in September. Any reading above 50 indicates growth, while a reading below 50 indicates contraction.

Europe's largest economy , Germany, posted a solid increase in output this month. But France, the second-largest, recorded its 14th consecutive monthly decline in output amid political turmoil.

The survey also showed that excluding France and Germany, the rest of the eurozone recorded its fastest growth in activity in two and a half years.

Mr. Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, commented that France is increasingly becoming a burden on the regional economy.

France has been in political paralysis since President Emmanuel Macron called early elections last year in the hope of consolidating power. But he ultimately failed to secure a majority to ensure stability in Parliament .

France has had four governments come and go in less than two years, a clear sign of the country’s growing political instability. Business circles remain uncertain about whether the newly installed Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, can stay in power for long, as there are still issues – including the 2026 budget – that could bring down his government.

As an important market for products and services from other countries, France's economic weakness is contributing to the fragility of the recovery in the rest of the region, Mr. de la Rubia said.

Source: https://vtv.vn/business-activity-in-eurozone-increases-manh-nhat-trong-17-thang-100251025081351091.htm