Global Economic Resilience Amid Rising Debts

The OECD reports uneven economic growth with Europe lagging and the US advancing, amidst a backdrop of easing inflation and rising real incomes.

Published May 04, 2024 - 00:05am

5 minutes read
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatia
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The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has shed light on the current state of the global economy, highlighting resilience in the face of rising borrowing costs, with a modest overall growth forecast. While the United States shows strong economic performance, European nations are experiencing a slower pace, according to recent reports from Croatian and Bosnian news sources.

Suggested improvements in the global economic prospects come alongside a faster-than-anticipated easing of inflation and better trade exchange conditions, leading to an increase in real incomes. Nevertheless, growth rates remain modest, especially when compared with the decade preceding the global financial crisis.

The OECD has updated its global economic growth forecast to 3.1% this year, slightly higher than previous estimates. Similar expectations are set for 2025, projecting a 3.2% growth rate. Despite these figures, there's a significant variance in activity from country to country, with some developed economies, particularly in Europe, underperforming in contrast to stronger growth in the United States and numerous emerging economies.

The leading country in terms of forecasted economic growth is India, with an anticipated rise of 6.6%. Following India are Indonesia and China, with projected growth rates of 5.1% and 4.9%, respectively. The United States stands out with the highest predicted growth rate among the major developed economies at 2.6%, though it is expected to slow down to 1.8% the following year.

The Eurozone's economy is expected to grow by 0.7% this year, with different rates across countries such as Italy and France. In 2025, an acceleration to 1.5% is expected. Germany's economy, in contrast, is projected to almost stagnate, with a predicted growth rate of just 0.2% this year, expected to pick up pace in 2025, reaching 1.1%.

As inflation pressures begin to ease, central banks may find an opportunity to reduce interest rates in the latter half of the year, offering relief and potential stimulus to affected economies. Europe's slower recovery is of particular concern, given its size and influence on the global market.

The forecast by the OECD comes at a time when the global economy is still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to unprecedented levels of government debt due to stimulus spending. This, combined with supply chain disruptions and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, continues to pose significant risks to the global recovery. The impact on energy markets, particularly in Europe, has prompted governments to seek alternative energy sources and strategies to buffer against future disruptions.

Despite the gloomy forecast for Germany, Europe's largest economy, there is optimism in the OECD's outlook on the Polycentric World: A Scenario for the Future of Global Cooperation, which envisions a growth model underpinned by inclusive and sustainable policies. These include investments in digital and green transitions, in line with the European Green Deal and similar global initiatives, which may in the long run counterbalance current economic headwinds.

Meanwhile, the outlook for emerging economies is cautiously optimistic but varies widely. Countries like India and Indonesia are seeing robust growth due to structural reforms, demographic dividends, and a strong digital transformation trajectory. However, there remains a concern about debt levels in developing nations, especially as global interest rates rise, which could lead to debt sustainability issues and volatility in financial markets.

The OECD underscores the need for policy measures to support the global economy. Recommendations include sustainably managing public finances to foster confidence and private investment, enhancing international cooperation to counteract protectionism, and striving for a more inclusive global trade system. The organization also emphasizes the importance of continuous support for workers and firms as they navigate the changing economic landscape, which will be critical to preserving social cohesion and stability.

In parallel, the OECD cautions against premature withdrawals of fiscal support, which could derail the recovery, particularly in those economies with significant output gaps. The role of fiscal policy is emphasized as instrumental in maintaining the momentum of recovery, alongside monetary policies that ensure price stability without choking growth. This delicate balance requires careful calibration of policy instruments as conditions evolve.

At the sectoral level, the OECD highlights the disruptive potential of digitization and automation. These technological trends, accelerated by the pandemic, could reshape industry landscapes, labor markets, and global supply chains. As such, education and upskilling initiatives are deemed essential for workforces to stay relevant and adaptable to the shifting demands of the future economy.

The international community remains vigilant concerning potential downside risks, such as new waves of COVID-19 infections, further geopolitical tensions, or financial market stress which could dampen consumer spending and business investment. Mitigating these risks while fostering sustainable growth presents a complex policy challenge for the present and future.

To sum up, while the global economy demonstrates resilience in many aspects, the OECD underlines that vigilance and proactive policy-making are crucial to navigate the anticipated moderate growth and pave the way for more robust and equitable futures. The organization urges policymakers to embrace reforms that would make economies more resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable, to ensure that the recovery is not only robust but also widespread and inclusive.

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