In 2021, the real gross domestic product (GDP) showed a strong economic rebound and increased by 5.4%, even if economic activities were still affected by the containment measures. Nevertheless, GDP remains 0.8% below the 2019 pre-COVID level, as the economic fallout due to COVID-19 resulted in a 5.9% decrease in 2020. Looking at the development of the EU’s GDP components from the expenditure side, it is observed that the 2021 final consumption expenditure and gross capital formation are still lower than their 2019 level expressed in volume terms, while exports and imports have recovered. (....)