Economic Challenges

Cost of Living Consumer Behavior Unemployment Inflation Business Environment Public Perception Labor Market Financial Literacy Public Services Housing Affordability

Nearly 320,000 Irish Households Were in Energy Arrears in December, CRU Reports

The regulator’s snapshot highlights a late‑December spike in arrears.

Leon Cuts 244 Jobs as Administrators Close 22 Restaurants

German Machinery Sector Shed 22,000 Jobs in 2025, With More Cuts Likely in 2026

HMRC Data Puts Average First-Time Buyer Stamp Duty at £4,073 for 2024–25, With Lower Relief Now in Force

Greene King Pub Partners Hits 100 Franchises, Plans 30 More in 2026 With First Moves Into Wales and South West England

MPs Warn Small Firms Face Pandemic-Level Strain Without Emergency Support

Germany’s Six-Year Output Gap Reaches €940 Billion, IW Finds

Argentina's Cheque Rejections Hit Record High in December 2025

Major Popeyes Franchisee Sailormen Files for Chapter 11 in Florida

Profeco Warns January Pawnshop Loans Carry Steep Costs, Urges Checks on Registration

Claire's and The Original Factory Shop Enter Administration, Putting 2,500 Jobs at Risk

Survey Shows Holiday Spending Tops Causes as Mexico Enters 2026 ‘Cuesta de Enero’

Pakistan Sells 75% of PIA to Arif Habib-Led Group as Army-Owned FFC Joins

Supermarket Deals Keep UK Christmas Dinner Cost Slightly Lower

Mexico’s Basic Food Basket Tops 2,000 Pesos in December, ANPEC Finds

GoFundMe Reports 2025 Surge in Fundraisers for Rent, Food and Monthly Bills

Trump Denies Pledging $20 Billion Support to Hungary After Orban Claim

Robert Kiyosaki Warns of 2026 Layoffs, Unveils Five-Step Recession Plan

Trump Tariffs Hit Holiday Importers as Utah Christmas Company Absorbs Heavy Costs

Signa Collapse Pushes 120-Year-Old German Facade Builder Into Insolvency