What parts of the world are seeing the weakest performance in their jobs markets? Here is a ranking of major countries posting the highest unemployment rates over the past month:
The foreign trade deficit of Cyprus widened in March from a year ago as imports grew faster than exports. The goods trade deficit increased to EUR 703.8 million from EUR 609.7 million in the same month last year. Meanwhile, the shortfall decreased from EUR 876.1 million. Total exports of goods rose 6.7 percent annually in March, and imports logged a double-digit growth of 11.6 percent.
The Czech Republic's retail sales expanded at an accelerated pace in March. Retail sales, except for motor vehicles and motorcycles, rose a calendar-adjusted 4.9 percent year-on-year in March, faster than the 3.7 percent increase in February. The annual sales growth in food, beverages, and tobacco accelerated to 4.8 percent in March from 0.9 percent.
Latvia's foreign trade deficit increased in March from a year ago, as imports grew faster than exports. The trade deficit rose to EUR 394.6 million in March from EUR 270.1 million in the corresponding month last year. In February, the shortfall was EUR 334.2 million. Exports climbed 6.0 percent annually in March, and imports were 11.4 percent higher.
Denmark's consumer price inflation increased in April to the highest level in four months. The consumer price index rose 1.4 percent year-over-year in April, faster than the 1.2 percent increase in March. he upward trend in inflation was driven by a 3.3 percent growth in transport charges, mainly driven by a surge in fuel costs, which surged 19.3 percent.