Ireland backs up last year’s record growth of 6.9% with the strongest growth forecast this year too. The Commission’s report predicts GDP growth of 4.5% in 2016.

Romania also returns strong figures, with growth expected to be 4.2% this year – up from 3.6% last year.

A number of countries see predicted growth of between 3 and 4%, including Malta, Luxembourg and Poland.

The overall picture that emerges is an encouraging one, with positive growth predicted in the majority of the EU. Only Greece is forecast to see its economy shrink, although the outlook in Finland is for growth of just half a percent.

This is the top 10 in full:

1. Ireland – 4.5%

2. Romania – 4.2%

3. Malta – 3.9%

4. Luxembourg – 3.8%

5. Poland – 3.5%

6= Sweden – 3.2%

6= Slovakia – 3.2%

8. Latvia – 3.1%

9. Lithuania – 2.9%

10. Spain – 2.8%

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