16/12/2011: QNA for Q3 2011: 'exports-led recovery' myth

In the first post on Q3 Quarterly National Accounts, we looked at the data on real rates of growth in the Irish economy based on sectoral decomposition (linked here). Now, let's take a look at the expenditure-based data. Please keep in mind - Q3 2011 was the record-busting quarter in terms of exports growth for Ireland, with the latest data pointing to falling growth rates in Irish external trade for Q4 2011 (see here). In addition, keep in mind that unlike the DofF that projects Irish GDP growth to be 1.3-1.6% in 2012, most of the euro zone is factoring in contractions for H1 2012 (see details here).

So down to data now.

In nominal terms,

• Personal consumption continued its precipitous fall in Q3 2011, declining €291mln (-1.4%) qoq and €283mln (-1.4%) yoy. Relative to Q3 2007, personal consumption is now down €3,085mln or 13.3%.
• Net expenditure by central and local government, is down €61mln (-1.0%) qoq and €110mln (-1.7%) yoy. Compared to Q3 2007, net government spending is down 12.1% or €869mln.
• Exports of goods and services are up €373mln (+0.9%) qoq and €1,025mln (+2.5%) yoy. Exports are also up on Q3 2007 by some €3,849mln (+10.2%)
• Imports of goods and services are down €192mln (-0.6%) qoq but up €1,033mln (+3.3%) yoy.

Thus, GDP at current market prices is now down €703mln qoq in Q3 2011 (-1.8%) and down €1,011mln (-2.5%) yoy. Compared to Q3 2007, GDP is down €7,030mln (-15.4%) in current market prices.

In current market prices, value of profits expatriated abroad net of profits inflowing from abroad has risen €189mln (+2.4%) qoq and is up €1,076mln (+15.5%) yoy.

As the result, GNP is now down €612mln (-1.9%) qoq and down €2,063mln (-6.3%) yoy. GNP in current market prices is down €9,092mln or 22.8% on Q3 2007.

Personal consumption in nominal terms now stands close to the level of Q3-Q4 2005. Fixed capital formation is at the level roughly 1/3 of the Q1 2005.

Things are pretty dire in constant market prices terms as well:

• Personal consumption fell €182mln (-0.9%) qoq and €822mln (-3.9%) yoy. Relative to Q3 2007, personal consumption is now down €2,744mln or 12.1%.
• Net expenditure by central and local government, is down €88mln (-1.4%) qoq and €259mln (-3.9%) yoy. Compared to Q3 2007, net government spending is down 13.9% or €1,035mln.
• Gross domestic capital formation also continued falling in Q3 2011, with qoq decline of €1,234mln (-27.1%) and yoy fall of €955mln (-22.2%). Relative to pre-crisis level in Q3 2007, Q3 2011 investment in this economy came in at €5,754mln less (a decline of 63.2%).
• Value of stocks of goods and services has contracted €173mln in Q3 2011 qoq (-26.7%). 
• Exports of goods and services are up €786mln (-1.9%) qoq and €947mln (+2.4%) yoy. Exports are also up on Q3 2007 by some €2,650mln (+7.0%)
• Imports of goods and services are down €1,865mln (+5.9%) qoq but up €997mln (+3.3%) yoy.

GDP at constant market prices is now down €836mln qoq in Q3 2011 (-2.0%) and down €57mln (-0.1%) yoy. Compared to Q3 2007, GDP is down €3,318mln (-7.6%) in constant market prices.

Value of profits expatriated abroad net of profits inflowing from abroad has fallen €262mln (-3.1%) qoq but is up €1,347mln (+19.8%) yoy.

As the result, real GNP is now down €574mln (-1.8%) qoq and down €1,404mln (-4.2%) yoy. GNP in current market prices is down €5,398mln or 14.4% on Q3 2007.

So once again, that 'exports-led recovery' is, predictably not enough to keep economy above the waterline. And this is the case for Q3 2011, when "net exports (exports minus imports) grew by

21.8% at constant 2009 prices compared with the same quarter of last year." Record growth in exports before the slowdown hit in Q4 2011, and still recession in the overall economy.