23/4/2014: Some scary reading from the Eurostat...

Eurostat published full comparatives on key fiscal performance indicators across the EU and euro area for 2013. Here are three summary tables comparing euro 'periphery' states against each other and the EU18. You can click on images to enlarge:

First data summary:

Second: Ireland's share of the mess:

Third: Ireland's position within the 'periphery':

And key takeaways are:

1. In 2013, after years of austerity and pain, Irish Government deficit (7.2% of GDP) was the second worst in the euro 'periphery' group.
2. By relative comparative to EA18 (33% and 50% over EA18 levels), Ireland ranks worse than Italy, Cyprus and Portugal, and Spain (we have more 'red'/'green' cells).
3. In cumulative terms, 2010-2013 years were brutal to Ireland: we posted worst cumulated Government Deficits over this period and 2nd worst increases in Government debt.

Note: data is taken from http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/2-23042014-AP/EN/2-23042014-AP-EN.PDF