Improved economic performance in the global economy increasingly overshadowed by heightened risks and humanitarian concerns
Armed conflicts a major impediment to progress on sustainable development
Need for a redoubling of policy efforts to support conflict prevention and resolution
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Global issues
Armed conflicts remain a serious impediment to economic growth and development
Since mid-2016, the world economy has seen a strong and broad-based recovery. Global growth reached 3.1 per cent in 2017, the fastest pace in seven years. In almost two thirds of countries worldwide growth strengthened compared to 2016. In its baseline scenario, the World Economic Situation and…
World Economic Situation And Prospects: August 2018 Briefing, No. 117
Rising levels of public debt fueling fiscal sustainability concerns in many developing countries
Several countries highly vulnerable to a sharp increase in government interest burden in the event of a financial shock
High debt service obligations limit the availability of resources to pursue development objectives
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Global issues
Rising fiscal vulnerabilities posing risk to development prospects in many developing countries
Growing headwinds in the global economy have triggered renewed turbulence in international financial markets over the past few months. Amid intensifying trade tensions between the major economies, investor sentiments have also been affected by…
World Economic Situation And Prospects: July 2018 Briefing, No. 116
Global growth expected to reach 3.2 per cent in 2018 and 2019
Key downside risks to the global economy include rising trade tensions, elevated debt and uncertainty over monetary policy adjustments in the developed countries
Recent strengthening of economic growth carries environmental costs
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Global issues
Global economic prospects continue to strengthen, but risks have increased
Short-term prospects for the world economy have generally improved over the last six months. According to the World Economic Situation and Prospects as of mid-2018 report, global economic growth is expected to reach 3.2 per cent in both 2018 and 2019, marking an upward revision of 0.2 and 0.1…
World Economic Situation And Prospects: June 2018 Briefing, No. 115
Rising trade tensions pose a risk to the global trade outlook
Africa marks an historic step towards the creation of a regional trade bloc
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Global issues
Escalation of trade policy disputes poses risk to recovery in global trade
World trade growth accelerated over the course of 2017, and has remained firm in the first months of 2018. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the volume of merchandise trade expanded by 4.7 per cent in 2017, following growth of just 1.8 per cent in 2016. This acceleration was largely driven by cyclical improvements, including a notable increase in investment growth in developed economies. Investment is the most…
World Economic Situation And Prospects: May 2018 Briefing, No. 114
Short-term prospects for the world economy continue to strengthen, but more efforts are needed to ensure the gains are widely shared
Weak productivity growth and a lack of secure employment are constraining progress in many countries in Africa, Latin America and Western Asia
Rising inequality in many countries pose a risk to medium-term growth prospects
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Global issues
Stronger global economic growth, but risks are building
Over the last several months, short-term prospects for the world economy have continued to strengthen. This stems from a further uptick in the growth outlook for developed economies in 2018, on the strength of accelerating wage growth, broadly…
World Economic Situation And Prospects: April 2018 Briefing, No. 113
Stock market volatility returns amid concerns over inflation and monetary policy tightening
Macroprudential policy measures in emerging economies can help address financial vulnerabilities and limit systemic risks
Global investment conditions have improved markedly, but investment gaps remain large in many developing countries
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Global issues
Emerging economies must weigh support for investment against a further build-up of financial risks
After a long period of subdued growth, the global economy has strengthened, supported by the revival of investment and trade, robust business and consumer sentiment and improving labour market indicators. Since early…
World Economic Situation And Prospects: March 2018 Briefing, No. 112
Declining headline unemployment rates mask deeper labour market challenges in both developed and developing regions
High youth unemployment not only bears significant costs for the individual but also damages the social fabric
Long term investments in education, fostering entrepreneurship and enhancing social safety nets promote more inclusive labour markets
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Global issues
High youth unemployment presents a daunting challenge for policymakers around the world
The promotion of full and productive employment and decent work for all is a cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In tandem with the acceleration in global economic activity…
World Economic Situation And Prospects: February 2018 Briefing, No. 111
WESP 2018 highlights that the strengthening global economy is an opportunity to address structural challenges
Several economies in Africa, Latin America and Western Asia still see negligible per capita income growth
East and South Asia remain world?s most dynamic regions
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Global issues
WESP 2018: Stronger global economy offers opportunities?to tackle deep-rooted development issues
According to the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2018, launched on 11 December 2017, the world economy has strengthened, as crisis-related fragilities and the adverse effects of recent shocks subside. Investment conditions have improved in many countries. This…
World Economic Situation And Prospects: January 2018 Briefing, No. 110
The world economy has strengthened as lingering fragilities related to the global financial crisis subside. In 2017, global economic growth reached 3 per cent?the highest growth rate since 2011?and growth is expected to remain steady for the coming year.? The improved global economic situation provides an opportunity for countries to focus policy towards longer-term issues such as low carbon economic growth, reducing inequalities, economic diversification and eliminating deep-rooted barriers that hinder development.
?As the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2018 demonstrates, current macroeconomic conditions offer policymakers greater scope to address some of the deep-rooted systemic…
World Economic Situation and Prospects 2018
WTO?s Eleventh Ministerial Conference to be held against a backdrop of major challenges to the multilateral trading system
Rising financial imbalances prompt policy responses in China and the Republic of Korea
Higher oil and metal prices driving South America?s economic recovery
Global issues
WTO Ministerial Conference: Strengthening the multilateral trading system at a time of major challenges
The Eleventh Ministerial Conference (MC11), the highest decision-making body of the World Trade Organization (WTO), will be held from 10?13 December in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The meeting, which brings together all 164 members of the WTO, comes at a time when the multilateral trading system faces…
World Economic Situation And Prospects: December 2017 Briefing, No. 109