Czech Republic: Economy records best result since Q4 2022 in Q4
GDP declined at a slower pace of 0.2% year on year in the fourth quarter, above the 0.8% contraction logged in the third quarter. Q4’s reading marked the best result since Q4 2022. On a seasonally-adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis, GDP rebounded, expanding 0.2% in Q4, contrasting the previous period’s 0.8% decrease.
The upturn reflected improvements in private consumption, fixed investment and exports compared to the previous period.
Private consumption recorded the smallest drop in over a year, contracting 0.5% in the final quarter (Q3: -2.3% yoy). Moreover, fixed investment growth accelerated somewhat to 4.7% in Q4, compared to the 4.4% expansion in the prior quarter. Public spending growth, meanwhile, was the slowest since Q3 2023, expanding 1.9% (Q3: +3.7% yoy). Exports of goods and services bounced back, growing 1.0% in Q4 (Q3: -0.5% yoy). Conversely, imports of goods and services slid at a quicker rate of 4.7% in Q4 (Q3: -1.8% yoy).