An upturn in the global economy now growing by about 3% paves the way to reorient policy towards longer-term issues such as addressing climate change, tackling existing inequalities and removing institutional obstacles to development, according to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2018 Report, launched yesterday.
According to the report, in 2017, world economic growth has reached 3% the highest growth since 2011— as crisis-related fragilities and the adverse effects of other recent shocks subside. The improvement is widespread, with roughly two-thirds of countries worldwide experiencing stronger growth in 2017 than in the previous year.
Global growth is expected to remain steady at 3.0% in 2018 and 2019.
Against this backdrop, East and South Asia will remain the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions.
In 2017, regional GDP expanded by 6%, outpacing the rest of the world. Supported by growth in China, robust private consumption, higher exports and accommodative macroeconomic policies, the economy is projected to remain relatively steady at 5.8% in 2018 and 5.9% in 2019.
In 2017, China grew at a faster pace of 6.8%, marking its first acceleration in annual growth in six years.
Looking ahead, growth is expected to remain solid, supported by robust domestic demand and accommodative fiscal measures. The pace of growth, however, will moderate gradually to 6.5% in 2018 and 6.3% in 2019, in light of ongoing economic rebalancing efforts.
The East Asian economy is projected to expand at a robust pace of 5.7% in 2018 and 5.6 per cent in 2019, following growth of 5.9% in 2017. Private consumption will remain the key driver of growth, supported by modest inflationary pressures, low interest rates and healthy labour market conditions. Public investment is also expected to remain strong as governments embark on large infrastructure projects. While the strong export growth seen in 2017 is expected to temper, favourable external demand conditions will continue to provide support to the regional outlook.
In South Asia, the economic outlook remains steady and favourable, driven by robust private consumption and sound macroeconomic policies.
The positive outlook will contribute to further gradual progress in labour market indicators and a reduction in poverty rates. Monetary policy stances are moderately accommodative, while fiscal policies maintain a strong emphasis on infrastructure investment. Regional GDP growth is expected to strengthen to 6.5% in 2018 and 7 per cent in 2019, after posting an estimated 6.3% in 2017.
Regional inflation is expected to remain stable and at relatively low levels.
Despite a slowdown observed in early 2017, the outlook for India remains positive, underpinned by strong private consumption, robust public investments and structural reforms. GDP growth is projected to accelerate from 6.7% in 2017 to 7.2% in 2018 and 7.4% in 2019.
Despite the improved short-term outlook, the global economy continues to face risks—including changes in trade policy, a sudden deterioration in global financial conditions and rising geopolitical tensions.
For East and South Asia, potential renewed stress in global financial markets could result in a sharp tightening of liquidity conditions in the region. In East Asia, risks to financial stability are exacerbated by high corporate debt in several countries, including China. Given the high trade openness of the East Asian economies, an escalation in trade protectionism measures would also adversely affect growth prospects.
In South Asia, the reform agenda might also experience some setbacks, while political instabilities could dampen investment prospects.
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