Manufacturing output contracted in the first quarter of this year (seasonally adjusted), following growth in the fourth quarter of last year, and was 2.3% lower year-on-year (working-day adjusted). Compared with the fourth quarter of 2024, output continued to increase in both high- and low-technology industries, although the growth was modest. Output in medium-technology industries, which largely produce intermediate goods for foreign markets, continued to decline (seasonally adjusted). Year-on-year, output decreased in the manufacture of fabricated metal products (following growth last year), machinery and equipment n.e.c., motor vehicles and other transport equipment (C29–C30). Year-on-year growth in energy-intensive industries was modest, while output declined in the low-technology paper industry. Most other low-technology industries also recorded lower output compared to a year earlier (only output in the wood industry, and to a lesser extent the food and furniture industries and other manufacturing, saw increases). According to our assessment, the year-on-year growth in high-technology industries was mainly driven by the pharmaceutical industry.

In the first quarter of this year, goods exports and imports increased quarter-on-quarter (seasonally adjusted), and were also higher year-on-year. The growth was driven by strong January figures, as real exports and imports of goods declined month-on-month in February and March. Exports of goods increased by 0.5% compared to the previous quarter (EU: 0.7%), and imports by 1.9%, marked by significant monthly fluctuations (EU: 3.5%). Goods exports rose in pharmaceuticals, metals and metal products, and primary products (excluding petroleum products), while exports of machinery and equipment (including vehicles) – which account for around one-quarter of total exports – declined the most. The increase in goods imports was mainly driven by imports of intermediate goods, while imports of consumer and capital goods also rose (seasonally adjusted). Compared to the same period last year, both exports and imports of goods remained higher in the first quarter of this year (by 1.3% and 1.9% respectively), with the only decline recorded in imports from non-EU countries. Sentiment in export-oriented activities has not changed significantly in recent months and remains subdued, reflecting increased uncertainty in the international environment. 

In April, the number of unemployed persons (seasonally adjusted) declined slightly (by 0.5%). According to original data, 44,355 people were unemployed at the end of April, 3.3% fewer than at the end of March. Year on year, unemployment was down 1.9%. This represents a smaller year-on-year decline than in previous months, which was influenced by a slightly higher inflow of redundant workers into unemployment, alongside a continued moderate outflow from the unemployment register. A smaller year-on-year decline was also recorded among the long-term unemployed (-9%), while the number of unemployed persons aged 55 and over remained broadly unchanged (-11.3%). In contrast, youth unemployment (ages 15–29) increased year-on-year (by 5.8%) for the seventh month in a row.