Growth eludes eurozone

eurozone2Eurozone growth is at its lowest rate in more than 18 months.

The region’s three largest economies remained weak in the ending three months of 2014.

In December, economic activity contracted in Italy, the third biggest economy in the euro area.

French manufacturing helped pull down overall output for the eighth month in a row.

The German power house saw some expansion towards the end of the year, but it was lacklustre.

Eurozone growth for the final quarter appears to be just 0.1%. The rate of growth was at its weakest since July 2013.

But there was good news for Ireland and Spain. Ireland’s growth was the highest out of all 18 eurozone nations, closely followed by Spain.

Employment increased in Ireland, Spain, and Germany.