The Bank of Portugal revised upwards by 1.9 percentage points (pp) its inflation forecast for this year to 7.8%, the highest since 1993, reflecting growing external pressure on prices.
In its October economic bulletin released today, the Bank of Portugal (BdP) predicts that the harmonized consumer price index will hit 7.8% this year. upward revision from 5.9% forecast in Junebut still below the eurozone.
The regulator explains that inflationary pressures remain high in the second half of the year despite some signs of easing, which it estimates will see the rate stay above 9% during this period, peaking in the third quarter (9.9%) . 5%) and slightly reduced by the end of the year.
On the economic front, the BdP improved its growth outlook by 0.4 percentage points this year. to 6.7%, signaling a recovery from pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter but a subsequent slowdown that will be reflected in 2023.
In the October Economic Bulletin, released today, the organization, led by Mario Centeno, presents only forecasts for this year, but points to the impact of the slowdown in economic growth for 2023 recorded from the second quarter onwards.
“The negative effects of Russian military aggression in Ukraine have intensified over the course of the year, which suggests a relative stabilization of activity from the second quarter onwards. These effects will be more pronounced in 2023, foreseeing a significant slowdown in growth compared to 2022, with a domino effect of over 3.9 p.p. [pontos percentuais] up to 0.5 p.p. ”, it can be read.
However, for this year, the growth forecast for gross domestic product (GDP) has been revised upward by 0.4 percentage points. up 6.7% from June, with the Portuguese economy “benefiting from a recovery in tourism and private consumption”.
