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In 2011, EU27 residents made 1.0 billion holiday trips, of which around one quarter were trips outside the country of residence (outbound trips). Looking in more detail at these outbound holiday trips, Spain was the top foreign destination of EU27 residents in 2011 (13% of all outbound trips), followed by Italy and France (both 9%). It should be noted that these figures refer to trips made by EU residents. They do not include trips made by non EU residents to the EU.

The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in February 2013 gave a 10.4 billion euro surplus, compared with +1.3 bn in February 2012. The January 2013 balance was -4.7 bn, compared with -9.2 bn in January 2012. In February 2013 compared with January 2013, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.1% while imports fell by 2.1%. These data are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

In February 2013 compared with January 2013, seasonally adjusted industrial production grew by 0.4% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27, according to estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January production fell by 0.6% and 0.5% respectively.

House prices, as measured by the House Price Index (HPI), fell by 1.8% in the euro area and by 1.4% in the EU in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with the same quarter of the previous year, according to data published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Improving the EU’s performance in education is one of the key objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy, adopted by the European Council in June 2010. Targets on education are to increase the proportion of persons having completed tertiary education and to reduce the number of early leavers from education and training.

In 2012, average hourly labour costs in the whole economy (excluding agriculture and public administration) were estimated to be €23.4 in the EU27 and €28.0 in the euro area (EA17). However, this average masks significant differences between EU Member States, with hourly labour costs ranging from €3.7 in Bulgaria, €4.4 in Romania, €5.8 in Lithuania and €6.0 in Latvia, to €39.0 in Sweden, €38.1 in Denmark, €37.2 in Belgium, €34.6 in Luxembourg and €34.2 in France. When comparing labour cost estimates in euro over time, it should be noted that data for those Member States outside the euro area are influenced by exchange rate movements.

In February 2013 compared with January 2013, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA17) and remained stable in the EU27, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January retail trade rose by 0.9% and 0.8% respectively.

In February 2013, compared with January 2013, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.2% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.4% in the EU27, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January prices increased by 0.4% in both zones.

The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 12.0% in February 2013, stable compared with January. The EU27 unemployment rate was 10.9%, up from 10.8% in the previous month. In both zones, rates have risen markedly compared with February 2012, when they were 10.9% and 10.2% respectively. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The current demographic situation in the EU27 is characterised by continuing population growth as well as by an ageing population. On 1 January 2012, the EU27 population was estimated at 503.7 million, a growth of 6% compared with 1992. Over the same period, the share of those aged 65 years or older in the population increased from 14% to 18%. As well as the population age structure, family structures are also changing, influenced by fewer marriages, more divorces and an increasing share of children born outside marriage.