What the EU does Economic policy is considered under EU law as 'a matter of common concern'. The EU has established an economic governance framework to monitor, prevent, and correct economic trends in the EU that could negatively affect national economies, the euro area, or the EU as a whole. Within this framework, in particular through the European Semester, the EU guides and coordinates macroeconomic policies to promote sustainable growth in the EU, the euro area, and Member States. This also ensures fiscal and financial stability in the EU.To inform economic policymaking, the European Commission provides economic forecasts and conducts business and consumer surveys. The economic forecasts, published in spring and autumn each year, cover a broad range of macroeconomic and fiscal variables for all Member States, candidate countries, EFTA countries and other major advanced and emerging economies. The regular harmonised business and consumer surveys cover different sectors of the economies in the EU and in the candidate countries.Moreover, the EU together with all Member States implements its main recovery tool, the €650 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Its aim is to make our economies and societies more sustainable, resilient and aligned with the green and digital transitions.Beyond the EU, the EU gives macro-financial assistance to partner countries, including ten enlargement and neighbourhood partners, helping stabilise their economies in challenging times. The EU also promotes its economic positions globally, engaging with key national and international authorities and institutions. The euro, as the second most important currency globally, strengthens the euro area economies and financial systems from foreign exchange shocks, reduces reliance on other currencies and lowers costs for EU firms. The EU supports non-euro area Member States in their efforts to meet the criteria to adopt the euro. Key figures €650 billionFor financing green and digital transitions, reforms and investment, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility29.8 billioneuro banknotes in circulation (1 568 billion EUR) in February 202511Number of countries that benefitted from EU macrofinancial assistance Areas of actionEconomic forecastsLatest comprehensive forecasts covering key macroeconomic and fiscal indicatorsThe European SemesterAnnual coordination of the EU's economic and social policiesThe Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)Temporary instrument for the EU to emerge stronger and more resilient post-COVIDThe euroThe EU’s common currency for more than 347 million citizens in 20 EU countries of the euro area Key achievements The EU early on identifies, prevents and addresses potentially harmful macroeconomic imbalances that could adversely affect economic stability in a particular Member State, the euro area, or the EU as a whole.The EU is investing and implementing reforms for the benefit of its citizens, businesses, and the environment. With the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Commission raises funds to support Member States finance ambitious reforms and investments.The EU represents EU economic interests globally. As a global economic power, it plays a constructive role in shaping the international community’s response to the most pressing economic challenges. In focus Economic researchAs it develops research tools, analyses data, publishes a wide range of papers, and engages in debate and discussion, the EU economic research supports policy making. Research issues range from financial stability to impact of structural reforms, from economic implications of ageing populations to global economic issues, from forecasting macroeconomic shocks to institutional design.Learn more Latest news News announcement20 May 2025Flash Consumer Confidence Indicator1 min readNews article28 March 2025Economic Sentiment and Employment Expectations down in the EU and the euro area1 min readSee all Events 05Nov2025Conferences and summitsGreen Budgeting in the EU: Making it workSee all Related links Directorate-General for Economic and Financial AffairsFunding
Economic policy is considered under EU law as 'a matter of common concern'. The EU has established an economic governance framework to monitor, prevent, and correct economic trends in the EU that could negatively affect national economies, the euro area, or the EU as a whole. Within this framework, in particular through the European Semester, the EU guides and coordinates macroeconomic policies to promote sustainable growth in the EU, the euro area, and Member States. This also ensures fiscal and financial stability in the EU.To inform economic policymaking, the European Commission provides economic forecasts and conducts business and consumer surveys. The economic forecasts, published in spring and autumn each year, cover a broad range of macroeconomic and fiscal variables for all Member States, candidate countries, EFTA countries and other major advanced and emerging economies.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)Temporary instrument for the EU to emerge stronger and more resilient post-COVID
The euroThe EU’s common currency for more than 347 million citizens in 20 EU countries of the euro area
Economic researchAs it develops research tools, analyses data, publishes a wide range of papers, and engages in debate and discussion, the EU economic research supports policy making. Research issues range from financial stability to impact of structural reforms, from economic implications of ageing populations to global economic issues, from forecasting macroeconomic shocks to institutional design.Learn more
News article28 March 2025Economic Sentiment and Employment Expectations down in the EU and the euro area1 min read
