Publications

Of the Western European countries surveyed, Germany had the second highest percentage of respondents (24.7%) who reported revenue loss due to overdues.

At 48.7%, Great Britain had the highest proportion of past due B2B invoices in Western Europe, significantly higher than the regional average of 41.8%.

Despite already posting the highest proportion of uncollectable receivables in the region, Greece’s average rose to 2.8% in 2018 from 2.5% in 2017.

For 56.3% of Irish respondents reported negative consequences of overdues over the past 12 months. For 15.1% of suppliers these led to revenue loss.

Despite a significant decrease in 2018, at 74 days, the average DSO reported by survey respondents in Italy remains the highest in Western Europe.

Most respondents in Spain have felt the impact of overdue invoices; 22.4% had to postpone payments to their own suppliers and 20.3% reported revenue loss.

The proportion of past due B2B invoices in Sweden has sharply increased from 26.7% in 2017 to 34.0%. Foreign B2B customers had a much higher default rate.

92.5% of Swiss respondents said that they experienced late payment in 2018. This is one of the highest percentages next to that of Austria and Belgium.

2018 bracht wijzigingen in de gemiddelde betalingstermijnen die in Nederland aan B2B-klanten worden verleend.

Economic growth is expected to remain robust in 2018 and 2019, but the economy is highly vulnerable to adverse developments in the automotive sector.

Bulgaria´s economic growth is forecast to remain robust in 2018 and 2019, as household spending is spurred by wage growth and an improving labour market.

After growing 4.5% in 2017 Czech GDP growth is expected to increase at a slower pace in 2018 and 2019, as Eurozone and domestic demand are cooling down.

After increasing 4% in 2018 GDP growth is expected to decelerate to below 3% due to lower household consumption and less investment and export growth.

In Central Europe, Poland's economy looks most vulnerable to the financial and economic fallout of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU.

Romania´s GDP is expected to grow at a lower pace in 2018 and 2019 as export growth has slowed and domestic demand is cooling due to higher interest rates.

Despite the current rebound the long-term prospect for higher growth rates is subdued due to structural weaknesses and the negative impact of sanctions.

Despite monetary tightening the economy remains susceptible to further currency volatility, and the risk of a severe economic downturn has increased.

Despite a minor decrease in overdue B2B invoices, 45.0% of businesses in Eastern Europe reported having to manage the negative impact of payment delays.

Of the Eastern European countries surveyed, Bulgaria had the highest DSO and 19.8% of respondents expect another slight increase over the coming 12 months.

The percentage of Czech respondents reporting late payment remained largely stable. However, at 89.8% this is one of the highest percentages in the region.