(ČIA) The European Commission predicts GDP growth of 3.4 % for the Czech Republic in 2021. Inflation will reach an estimated 2.4 %, unemployment will reach 3.8 % and the budget deficit 8.5 %. In 2022, the pace of GDP could accelerate to 4.4 %, inflation will slow to 2.2 % and the unemployment rate will be 3.5 %. The budget deficit could fall to 5.4 %. In Slovakia, the EC expects GDP growth of 4.8 % in 2021, inflation should reach 1.5 %, unemployment 7.4 % and the budget deficit 6.5 %. In 2022, the Slovak economy should strengthen by 5.2 %. Inflation will accelerate to 1.9 %, unemployment will fall to 6.6 %. The budget deficit could be 4.1 %. After a weakening of 6.1 % in 2020, the entire EU economy should strengthen by 4.2 % in 2021 and by 4.4 % in 2022.