The European Central Bank will keep interest rates unchanged, according to economists' forecasts, due to low inflation and resilient economic growth.

The European Central Bank (ECB) will keep interest rates unchanged at the meeting on December 18, for the fourth consecutive time, according to the estimates of the majority of economists. The deposit facility rate will remain at 2%, while the other rates will be at 2.15% and 2.40%. Inflation in the euro area rose slightly to 2.2% in November, but remains anchored around the ECB's target of 2%. Economic growth was nearly 1.5% in the last two quarters, suggesting stability. Most economists expect the ECB to keep interest rates unchanged until mid-2026, and inflation could decrease to 2.1% in this quarter and to 1.7% in the first quarter of 2026. The ECB's forecasts for inflation remain similar to those announced earlier, and the euro area economy is expected to grow by 1.2% this year.