\n By Euronews<\/b>\n<\/p>\n
\n Published on 10\/12\/2025 – 16:47 GMT+1
\n \u2022Updated
\n 17:15\n <\/p>\n
Portugal has quietly turned into the eurozone\u2019s star performer, topping The Economist’s 2025 ranking of global economies.<\/p>\n
It earned this distinction based on inflation, gross domestic product, jobs, and market data from the world\u2019s 36 richest countries.<\/p>\n
The southwestern European economy was described as being “as sweet as a pastel de nata”, a reference to the staple Portuguese custard-based pastry.<\/p>\n
“Portuguese investors have done well, too, with the stockmarket rising by more than 20% in 2025,” the ranking highlighted.<\/p>\n
Portugal was followed by Ireland and Israel. Spain, last year\u2019s winner, now shares fourth place with Colombia, followed by the Czech Republic and Greece \u2014 underscoring a broader trend of accelerating growth in southern Europe.<\/p>\n
“Other members of the eurozone that faced difficulties in the 2010s, including Greece (our winner in 2022 and 2023) and Spain, are also among the frontrunners,” reads the article.<\/p>\n
Central and Eastern European countries such as Slovakia, Finland, and Estonia are at the bottom of the ranking.<\/p>\n
On social media, Prime Minister Lu\u00eds Montenegro said the ranking “reinforces the government’s motivation to continue on the path that has brought us here in recent months”.<\/p>\n
“It is by reforming with courage and making the country more competitive and productive that we will continue to create jobs, increase wages and strengthen the welfare state,” the Portuguese Prime Minister added.<\/p>\n
Government forecasts point to economic growth of 2% this year and 2.3% next year.<\/p>\n
Despite the good news, the country faces dissatisfaction around housing costs<\/strong><\/a>, as well as labour and employment, with a general strike called on 11 December.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n