Issue 8: Macro Overview
21-May-2025
Georgia’s economy demonstrated robust average YoY growth of 9.3% in Q1 of 2025 (rapid estimate), sustaining strong momentum after 9.5% growth in 2024.
Issue 8 of the Macro Overview examines key aspects of Georgia’s economy and beyond, including:
• Economic Growth;
• Economic and Business Climate;
• Key Macroeconomic Indicators;
• Labor Market;
• External Sector;
• Global Economic Trends.
Beverage Manufacturing in Georgia
01-May-2025
The beverage manufacturing sector, encompassing the production of fruit juices, mineral water, soft drinks, beer, and spirits, has high export potential and a strong presence of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
From 2017 to 2023, Georgia’s total beverage exports grew at a CAGR of 10%, reaching USD 463 million in 2023. Despite overall export growth, the share of exports to the EU declined significantly during this time, particularly for SMEs.
Key challenges include limited access to quality raw materials, outdated machinery, a shortage of skilled labor, and logistical constraints, as well as difficulties in meeting EU standards and DCFTA regulations and limited access to financing for export operations.
Employment Tracker (March, 2025)
24-Apr-2025
Our latest monthly publication, Employment Tracker, offers insights into recent developments in Georgia’s labor market.
In March 2025, the number of persons receiving a monthly salary saw a modest increase of 0.3% compared to the same period in 2024.
In March 2025, the total number of vacancies posted on jobs.ge decreased by 18% YoY.
The administration and management category contributed the most to the decline in vacancies from January to March 2025.
IT Services in Georgia
10-Apr-2025
Georgia’s IT services sector has experienced rapid expansion, with tax revenues quadrupling between 2020 and 2023, employment increasing 5.4-fold, and turnover rising 13-fold.
Government policies and incentives, such as the International Company Status and FDI Grant Program, have played a key role in attracting foreign investment and driving the sector’s development.
Future growth will rely on strategic initiatives such as the successful implementation of GITA 2.0, enhanced IT procurement policies, and stronger collaboration with the private sector, while addressing key challenges like export capabilities and talent retention.
Reshaping Maritime Trade in the Black Sea: The Effects of the Russo-Ukrainian War
31-Mar-2025
Shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, maritime trade flows in the Black Sea were significantly reshaped. As the war continued, developments affecting the trade in the Black Sea changed, underscoring the importance of thoroughly analyzing how the region has adapted to such disruptions. This publication builds upon the previous edition, which was released shortly after the outbreak of the war. Now, three years later, our focus shifts to examining how trade dynamics, particularly maritime trade in the Black Sea region, have evolved during this period.
Key insights include:
Upon the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War, port calls in Ukraine and Russia dropped sharply, while other Black Sea countries briefly benefited from redirected trade flows. By late 2023, port calls in Ukraine had gradually recovered, supported by new shipping routes through Romania and Bulgaria. However, serious threats to commercial shipping remained.
Ukraine’s maritime exports and imports fell sharply in 2022, with a slow recovery in imports in 2023. In Russia, maritime imports declined, while exports initially increased in 2022, possibly due to sanctions being ineffective. However, as the sanctions intensified, exports also fell significantly the following year.
