Value of money supply M3 in euro area 2001-2024
The Eurozone's broad money supply, known as M3, reached a staggering 16.7 trillion euros by December 2024, marking a significant milestone in the region's monetary landscape. This figure represents the culmination of a steady upward trend observed over more than two decades, reflecting the expanding monetary base in the euro area. The growth in M3, which encompasses various forms of liquid assets, provides crucial insights into the overall economic health and monetary policy effectiveness within the Eurozone.
Components and comparisons
M3 is composed of several elements, including the narrower measures M1 and M2. As of December 2024, the Eurozone's M1 money supply, consisting of the most liquid assets, stood at 10.57 trillion euros. Meanwhile, M2 money supply, which includes M1 plus short-term deposits, reached approximately 15.6 trillion euros. These figures are instrumental for central banks in forecasting inflation and interest rates, guiding monetary policy decisions.
Recent trends and global context
While the Eurozone's money supply has generally trended upward, 2023 marked a notable deviation as the first year in the observed period where the money supply decreased. This shift mirrors similar trends in other major economies, such as the United States, where both M1 and M2 measures experienced slight decreases in 2023 compared to the previous year. These changes follow exceptional increases in 2020 across various regions, largely attributed to quantitative easing measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.