Europe on the brink: the states battling to stave off recession

War, drought and Covid have blighted prospects not just in Britain but continent-wide. Which countries are most at risk?

Almost six months after Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into Ukraine, the extent of the damage to the European economy is becoming clear. The red lights of recession are flashing.

The eurozone's big four economies - Germany, France, Italy and Spain - have all had their growth forecasts for 2023 downgraded by the International Monetary Fund, as a combination of the war and higher interest rates put a brake on activity.