The second edition of La Réunion Développement's Café Éco was held on Tuesday 29 April at La Réunion Airport. The event brought together numerous economic and institutional players and business representatives to discuss issues related to international dynamics. The meeting was structured around key economic data.
Discussions focused on the following topics:
- Macroeconomic review for 2024 and analysis by sector
- Economic trends for 2025
- Presentation of specific international indicators related to the local economy
- National and international growth prospects
Key points to remember:
Moderate GDP growth in Réunion in 2024, estimated at +1.5% by Réunion Développement, due to sluggish local investment. The island is one of the least dynamic territories in the Indian Ocean region, on a par with South Africa (2025 forecast: +1.8%).
- Inflation rose slightly in the first quarter of 2025, to +1.5% after +1.3% at the end of 2024, driven by a surge in fresh food prices in March following Cyclone Garance.
- Mixed entrepreneurial activity: business start-ups rose by +3% in Q1 2025, but insolvencies remained high with 1,120 companies going bankrupt in December 2024 (+30% in one year).
- Stabilisation of employment: 61,230 preliminary declarations of employment in the fourth quarter of 2024 (-0.2%).
- Sharp decline in the construction sector, with a 7% drop in the workforce in the first two months of 2025, accompanied by a 15% decline in building permits (5,900 homes authorised).
- Contraction of the automotive market: sales declined in Q1 2025, with a -5% drop for passenger vehicles and a -24% drop for commercial vehicles. The outlook remains unfavourable for hybrid and electric vehicles, in line with the increase in dock dues applied since March 2025.
- Tourism mixed: +6% increase in hotel overnight stays in January-February 2025. However, the health crisis linked to chikungunya could weigh heavily on tourist numbers in the coming months.
- Monetary easing in the eurozone: the ECB's deposit rate continues to fall, standing at 2.25%.
This Eco Café provided an informed overview of the local and international economic environment at the start of 2025, in an uncertain context marked by persistent tensions but also opportunities for adaptation for Réunion stakeholders.
Many thanks to La Réunion Airport for its warm welcome, as well as to all the partners and speakers whose commitment and participation were instrumental in making this event a success : AFD, Albioma, Business France, Caisse d'Epargne CEPAC, CCI Réunion, Club Export Réunion, CROEC, DEETS, French Bee, Comité Réunionnais du Tourisme, La Banque Postale, La Réunion Innovation, OTI NORD, Pacte De Transition Citoyenne Régional, Région Réunion, Université Cémoi, Ville de La Possession, Ville Le Port…
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Infographie : Bilan 2024 et Tendances 2025 - Focus International
Find analysis of the main economic indicators for 2024 and the initial trends observed in early 2025, focusing on key themes such as inflation, employment, business dynamics, foreign trade and investment. This analysis is supplemented by a sector-by-sector review, with a focus on tourism, trade, construction and the property market. Finally, the last section is devoted to economic data relating to international trade.
What is Café Eco ?
Café Eco, organised by La Réunion Développement, is a quarterly event that serves several purposes:
- to analyse the macroeconomic and sectoral situation in the region over the past period
- to present economic and structural indicators for a specific theme or sector
- to interpret trends and provide GDP growth estimates
- to enable socio-economic stakeholders to discuss the issues they face and their expectations
Find out more :
Find previous editions of Café Éco:
- Café Éco, 19 July 2023 – Focus on Industry
- Café Éco, 6 October 2023 – Focus on Tourism
- Café Éco, 6 February 2024 – Focus on International Affairs and Geopolitics
- Café Éco, 26 April 2024 – Focus on Construction
- Café Éco on 2 July 2024 - Focus on Energy
- Café Éco on 10 October 2024 - Focus on Economic Financing
- Café Éco on 6 February 2025 - Focus on Industry
- Rekha GRIMOIRE, Economic and Statistical Research Officer
- rekha.grimoire[at]lareuniondeveloppement.re
- Contact La Réunion Développement : 0262 20 21 21
