Fashion
OECD GDP growth slows to 0.3% in Q4 amid mixed trends
Within the G7 grouping, Germany and Italy posted improved growth of 0.3 per cent each, up from 0.0 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively in Q3, supported by higher household and government consumption. Italy also benefited from increased investment activity. In contrast, France’s growth moderated to 0.2 per cent from 0.5 per cent as inventory drawdowns continued to weigh on output, OECD said in a press release.
Canada’s economy contracted by 0.1 per cent following 0.6 per cent growth in the previous quarter, while the United Kingdom recorded unchanged growth of 0.1 per cent. Japan returned to expansion with 0.1 per cent growth after a 0.7 per cent contraction in Q3, driven primarily by stronger investment.
OECD GDP growth eased to 0.3 per cent in Q4 2025 from 0.4 per cent as country performances diverged.
Germany and Italy strengthened, while France slowed and Canada contracted.
Japan returned to modest growth and the UK remained stable.
Lithuania led expansion among other members.
Annual OECD growth rose to 1.7 per cent in 2025, with Ireland recording the strongest performance.
Among other OECD economies, Lithuania led quarterly growth with a 1.7 per cent increase, followed by Israel and Poland at 1.0 per cent each. Conversely, Ireland and Korea reported declines of 0.6 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively.
Annual estimates indicated that OECD GDP growth strengthened to 1.7 per cent in 2025, compared with 1.2 per cent in 2024 and 1.1 per cent in 2023. Growth performance diverged across countries, with half of the reporting economies experiencing acceleration and the remainder recording slower expansion.
Ireland posted the strongest annual growth at 12.6 per cent, while all OECD countries with available data registered positive growth in 2025, contrasting with the previous year when seven economies contracted.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
The data showed a softening labour market backdrop as the number of people in paid employment declined by an average of 4,000 per month during the same three-month period. At the end of January, the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) registered around 205,700 active unemployment benefits, reflecting continued upward momentum in benefit uptake, CBS said in a press release.
Beyond the unemployed population, approximately 3.2 million individuals were classified outside the labour force as they were not actively seeking work or immediately available. This group, comprising retirees and those unable to work due to illness or disability, expanded by an average of 6,000 per month over the past quarter.
Netherlands recorded 415,000 unemployed persons in January, keeping the jobless rate steady at 4 per cent despite a gradual rise in unemployment.
Paid employment declined slightly, while 205,700 active unemployment benefits were registered.
Seasonal factors and contract expiries contributed to higher benefit claims.
Labour market flows showed marginally more people entering unemployment than exiting.
UWV figures highlighted seasonal and structural influences on unemployment dynamics. A total of 38,700 new benefits were granted in January, while 24,400 were terminated. Compared with January 2025, the number of unemployment benefits increased by 8.6 per cent, equivalent to 16,200 additional recipients, continuing a monthly year-on-year (YoY) upward trend observed since August 2023.
Labour market flow data indicated that slightly more individuals entered unemployment than exited it. Around 148,000 unemployed people secured jobs in January, while 104,000 stopped seeking work and left the labour market. Conversely, unemployment rose as 121,000 employed persons lost their jobs and 135,000 previously inactive individuals began searching for work. As a result, 256,000 people were unemployed in January despite being in employment three months earlier.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
In Ludhiana, traders faced a supply shortage from spinning mills. Limited availability gave mills the leverage to maintain prices, with cotton yarn hovering at previous levels. A Ludhiana-based trader told Fibre*Fashion, “Spinning mills have already sold large quantities of cotton yarn. They have reduced supply in the domestic market to fulfil their export commitments. Limited supply helped mills to keep cotton yarn prices stable in the local market.” It may be noted that domestic demand remained slow due to payment issues, and buyers stayed away from fresh purchases.
In Ludhiana, ** count cotton combed yarn was sold at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg (inclusive of GST); ** and ** count combed yarn were traded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg and ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg, respectively; and carded yarn of ** count was noted at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg today, according to trade sources.
Bewakoof Co-Founder Prabhkiran Singh Announces Exit After 14 Years At The Helm
GSDCost by Coats Digital wins global innovation honour
Transfer rumors, news: Liverpool, Man United, Real Madrid keen on Van de Ven
-
Entertainment7 days agoQueen Camilla reveals her sister’s connection to Princess Diana
-
Tech1 week agoRakuten Mobile proposal selected for Jaxa space strategy | Computer Weekly
-
Politics7 days agoRamadan moon sighted in Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries
-
Entertainment7 days agoRobert Duvall, known for his roles in "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," dies at 95
-
Politics7 days agoTarique Rahman Takes Oath as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Following Decisive BNP Triumph
-
Business7 days agoTax Saving FD: This Simple Investment Can Help You Earn And Save More
-
Tech1 week agoBusinesses may be caught by government proposals to restrict VPN use | Computer Weekly
-
Sports1 week agoUsman Tariq backs Babar and Shaheen ahead of do-or-die Namibia clash