The group of emerging market economies have experienced impressive growth over the past 20 years, substantially boosting their share of global economic output and worldwide trade. Recently, however, economic momentum has tailed off considerably in a large number of emerging market economies, and the growth lead they once enjoyed over the industrial countries has narrowed.

In the first quarter of 2015, the financial assets of households rose exceptionally steeply by just under €140 billion (ie 2.8%) on the quarter, climbing to a figure of €5,212 billion.