Sub-Par Global Growth and Slowdown in Emerging Economies Requires a Shift in Policy Action

 

• Growth remains solid in the United States (see slideshare)
• The timing of the first US interest rate rise is less important than the pace (see slideshare)
• Watch the press conference (recorded)
• Read the handout | download the handout data.

Economic recovery is progressing in the world’s advanced economies, but stagnating world trade and deteriorating conditions in financial markets are curbing growth prospects in many of the major emerging economies, according to the OECD’s latest Interim Economic Outlook.

Rising employment and household consumption are driving solid growth in the United States, but investment continues to disappoint. Growth in the euro area is improving, but not as fast as would be expected given the falls that have been seen in oil prices, long-term interest rates and the value of the euro. In Japan, growth is on an improving path, but  tightening labour markets have yet to feed into the wage increases that  would underpin sustained consumption growth and  facilitate the achievement of the Bank of Japan’s inflation objective.
 
A key  puzzle in the short-term outlook centers on China, where recorded growth has held up well, but some indicators point to a slower underlying pace of economic activity. The marked slowdown in Chinese import demand has important spillover effects on global growth, particularly in emerging economies with close trade links to China, and those that depend on commodities. India is expected to be the fastest-growing major economy over the coming two years, while the outlook is weaker for many commodity-exporting nations, with Brazil experiencing a deep recession.
 
 The impact of a larger-than-expected slowdown in Chinese demand through direct trade and investment links would be significant, especially for those countries most heavily exposed, but would not derail the global recovery unless combined with a large and widespread correction in global financial markets.
 
“Global growth prospects have weakened slightly and the outlook is clouded by important uncertainties,” said OECD Chief Economist Catherine L. Mann. “Emerging economies have vulnerabilities that could be exposed by rising US interest rates and/or a sharper-than-expected slowdown in China, giving rise to financial and economic turbulence that could also exert a significant drag on advanced economies. Continued policy stimulus is warranted to support global demand, but the mix of policies will differ by country, and choices need to be consistent with financial stability and reviving long-run growth.”
 
The OECD projects that the US will grow by 2.4 percent this year and by 2.6 percent in 2016, while the UK is projected to grow at 2.4 percent in 2015 and 2.3 per cent in 2016. Canadian growth is projected at 1.1 percent this year and 2.1 percent in 2016, while Japan is projected to grow by 0.6 percent in 2015 and 1.2 percent in 2016.

The euro area is projected to grow at a 1.6 percent rate in 2015 and a 1.9 percent pace in 2016.  Growth prospects differ widely among the major euro area economies. Germany is forecast to grow by 1.6 percent in 2015 and 2 percent in 2016, France by 1 percent in 2015 and 1.4 percent in 2016, while Italy will see a 0.7 percent rate in 2015 and 1.3 percent in 2016. 
 
China is expected to grow by 6.7 percent in 2015 and 6.5 percent in 2016. India will grow by 7.2 percent in 2015 and 7.3 percent in 2016. Brazil’s economy is expected to shrink by 2.8 percent in 2015 and then by an additional 0.7 percent rate in 2016.
 
The Interim Economic Outlook calls for global macroeconomic policy to remain supportive of demand. Advanced economies should continue accommodative monetary and fiscal policies to ensure that the recovery gains momentum.   The US Federal Reserve will soon need to begin to raise its policy rate at a gradual pace, given the solid growth of the US economy and concerns over asset prices. The timing of the first rate rise will make little difference to the outcome,  but the pace of increase does matter.
 
“The pace of recovery in the euro area is disappointing, given the favorable factors from which they are benefiting. This calls for the continuation of accommodative monetary and more growth-oriented fiscal policies, which must work together to add momentum to the expansion and create spillover effects into labour markets, business investment and trade,” Ms Mann said.
 
Ensuring balanced and sustainable growth in China, as well as addressing vulnerabilities in the financial system will be a major challenge.  Authorities should use the room they have to provide further policy stimulus to avoid a sharp slowdown, but must ensure that that stimulus fosters sustainable growth. A range of policies would help, including services liberalisation and expanding social expenditures to support consumption growth. Other economies also need to strike a balance between supporting demand and allowing adjustment to take place, while being mindful of financial vulnerabilities, according to the Interim Economic Outlook.
 
“With an eye toward towards the medium term, ambitious structural policies are needed in advanced and emerging countries alike, to encourage investment and reverse the slowdown in the growth potential output, which represents the wherewithal to make good on promises to the young, the old, and investors alike,” Ms Mann said.
 

Media queries should be directed to the OECD Washington Center (202 822-3865) miguel.gorman@oecd.org
 
For more information, visit: www.oecd.org/economy/economicoutlook.htm