The euro zone economy is set to grow in 2014 after two painful years of contraction, according to a new report from EY, but the professional services firm warned that the threat of deflation dogging the region persists.
The region will grow 1.1 percent this year, according to EY's summer euro zone forecasts, followed by expansion of 1.5 percent in 2015. Growth is seen picking up pace between 2016 and 2018.
Strengthening exports and a pickup in domestic demand will drive a return to "modest" investment growth, EY said, but warned the recovery is likely to be felt more in some countries than others.
"Recent developments in the euro zone underline that a gradual recovery is continuing, but that it remains divergent across member states," Tom Rogers, senior economic adviser to the EY Eurozone Forecast, said in a press release.
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"Countries that have done the most to improve competitiveness are reaping the rewards, but others are continuing to lag."
'Damaging deflationary spell'
However, Rogers said he was concerned about the weakness of price growth that could push the euro area into a "damaging deflationary spell".
The threat of deflation has been at the front of European policymakers' minds over recent months. The European Central Bank (ECB) announced extraordinary measures to tackle the issue at its most recent policy meeting, including imposing a negative interest rates on banks for their deposits.
Inflation in the 18-country bloc using the euro rose by just 0.5 percent in the year in May, significantly below the ECB's target of 2 percent, creating further worries for central bank head Mario Draghi as he mulls extra policy action.
The inflation slowdown has been due to lower energy costs and increasing euro strength, EY said, warning that there are "real concerns that inflation could turn to deflation, as firms start to bid down prices and wages in order to compete for orders".
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One result of deflation is to push down demand, as people hold off purchases in the hope of more price declines. It can also cause increased unemployment and even lead to economic depression.
The euro zone is already battling with a high unemployment rate, close to 12 percent, which is likely to keep wages low. But deflationary pressures could have a knock on effect on consumer spending, just as confidence was starting to build.
"While weak or negative inflation may be a positive development for consumers in the near term, a sustained period of deflation would dampen spending in the medium term, as it would both encourage consumers to delay major purchases and would squeeze employers' ability to increase or even sustain current wage levels," Rogers said.
'Divergent recovery'
Italy is set to grow by just 0.3 percent in 2014, according to EY, while Greece's economy will contract 0.3 percent and Cyprus' is seen shrinking 4.3 percent over the year.
In contrast, Spain and Portugal - two of the worst-hit countries during the sovereign debt crisis - are set for sharp pickups, EY said. These economies are forecast to grow in line with the euro zone average, underlining the divergence in the region's recovery.
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Spain and Portugal have been praised for implementing the reforms needed to turnaround their economies, and are beginning to reap the rewards, while the likes of France and Italy were slower off the mark and their economic growth is lagging.
Euro strength
Exporters, however, might be in for another tough year as the euro remains stubbornly strong, EY warned. The euro is currently trading around $1.35 against the dollar, down from peaks of $1.39 earlier in the year.
Euro zone export volumes grew by just 1.4 percent in 2013, however EY said growing global demand meant this could accelerate to 3.5 percent in 2014, and 3.8 percent the following year.