European Commission predicts 5% growth & 16.4% unemployment in 2001

In its latest economic report the European Commission (EC) made a positive forecast for Poland, with 5% annual GDP growth, a drop in inflation to 5.5% in 2002 and a lower current account deficit. Poland is among the countries which the EC claims will be able to maintain a fast pace of economic growth, meaning 5.1% this year, 5% in 2001 and 4.8% in 2002. There is a downside, however, as according to the report Poland will have the highest unemployment of all EU-aspiring countries except for Bulgaria and Slovenia. EC expects the unemployment rate to reach 16.4% next year and drop to 15.7% in 2002. The current account deficit is forecast to reach 7% of the GDP by the end of this year and gradually drop to 6.1% in 2002. (Puls Biznesu, p.12)