Uruguay's GDP expanded a strong 3.5% during 2014 over the previous year, with positive activity in most sectors of the Mercosur member economy, according to the latest report from the Central bank. The result was in line with government officials expectations of 3% growth last year.
The Uruguayan economy is decelerating gradually after a decade of strong and inclusive growth. Export receipts are growing at a markedly lower clip than a few years ago and domestic demand growth is slowing towards a more sustainable pace. At the same time, inflation remains above the target range and the primary fiscal balance has weakened further in 2014.
High inflation, relatively weak economic growth and an exhausted growth model are forecasted for Uruguayan president-elect Tabare Vazquez second administration as of next March, according to the latest report from two Capital Economics analysts.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a 120 million dollars loan to finance the second phase of Uruguay's Strategic International Positioning Program. Its goal is to consolidate the country's international positioning, contributing to an increase in investments—mainly those aimed at high value-added sectors— and exports.
Uruguay's inflation indicator dropped to 8.36% in September from 8.75% in August, according to the latest report from the country's stats office INE. During September consumer prices increased a full 1%, and 8,04% in the first nine months of the year. However despite the high percentage it is below the same period a year ago: 8.41%.
Uruguay's fiscal deficit in the twelve months to August was equivalent to 3.3% of GDP, or 1.725bn dollars according to the latest release from the Economy and Finance ministry. However the primary deficit (before debt payments) was 202 million dollars or 0.39% of GDP.
Confirming ten years of sustained expansion the Uruguayan economy advanced 2% in the second quarter over the first quarter and 3.7% over the same period a year ago, according to the latest reports from the Central bank.
Uruguay's inflation index experienced a slight deceleration during the twelve months to June, from 9.18% in May to 9.08%, basically because of cheaper fresh food, frozen public utility rates including fuel, while a stabilized exchange rate for the US dollar with a strong Peso, helped with imported goods.
Brazil's economy added a net 58,836 payroll jobs in May, the Labor Ministry said, which is the worst figure for May since 1992. Brazil added 105,000 jobs in April.
Uruguay's economy expanded 2.4% in the first quarter compared with the same 2013 period, but contracted 0.4% compared with the fourth quarter of last year, the central bank said this week. However deceleration is a fact since growth of the first quarter in 2013 has gone up 4.6% over 2012.