Global economy is expected to further slow down in the coming year as the massive and historic energy shock triggered by Russia- Ukraine war continues to spur inflationary pressures, sapping confidence and household purchasing power and increasing risks worldwide, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Outlook.
In its highlight over the next two years, the OECDsaid that global economy is projected to grow well below the outcomes expected before the war – at a modest 3.1% this year, before slowing to 2.2% in 2023 and recovering moderately to a still sub-par 2.7% pace in 2024.
ASIAN GROWTH
The report noted that the growth in 2023 dependent on the major Asian emerging market economies, which would account for close to three-quarters of global GDP growth next year, with the United States and Europe decelerating sharply.
INFLATION
The OECD report mentioned that persistent inflation, high energy prices, weak real household income growth, falling confidence and tighter financial conditions are all expected to curtail growth. “Higher interest rates, while necessary to moderate inflation, will increase financial challenges for both households and corporate borrowers,” it said.
Inflation is projected to remain high in the OECD area, at more than nine per cent this year. As tighter monetary policy takes effect, demand and energy price pressures diminish and transport costs and delivery times continue to normalise, inflation will gradually moderate to 6.6% in 2023 and 5.1% in 2024.
“The global economy is facing serious headwinds. We are dealing with a major energy crisis and risks continue to be titled to the downside with lower global growth, high inflation, weak confidence and high levels of uncertainty making successful navigation of the economy out of this crisis and back toward a sustainable recovery very challenging,” OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormannsaid during a presentation of the Outlook.
“An end to the war and a just peace for Ukraine would be the most impactful way to improve the global economic outlook right now. Until this happens, it is important that governments deploy both short- and medium-term policy measures to confront the crisis, to cushion its impact in the short term while building the foundations for a stronger and sustainable recovery,” he said.
UNCERTAINITY
Pointing out uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook, the report highlighted that the growth may be weaker than projected if energy prices rise further, or if energy supply disruptions affect gas and electricity markets in Europe and Asia. “Rising global interest rates may put many households, firms and governments under greater pressure as debt service burdens rise. Low-income countries will remain particularly vulnerable to high food and energy prices, while tighter global financial conditions may raise the risk of further debt distress,” the report stated.
POLICY ACTIONS
The OECD Outlook lays out a series of policy actions that governments should take to confront the crisis. It said that monetary policy tightening is needed in most major advanced economies and in many emerging market economies to firmly anchor inflation expectations and lower inflation durably.
Fiscal support that is being provided to help cushion the impact of high energy costs should be increasingly temporary and preserve incentives to reduce energy consumption.
Support measures should be designed to minimise fiscal costs and be concentrated on aiding the most vulnerable households and companies.
Managing the energy crisis will require more decisive policy support to boost investment in clean technologies, foster energy efficiency, secure alternative supplies and realign policy with climate mitigation objectives.
The cost-of-living crisis also calls for structural reforms that can have a direct effect on household incomes, ease supply constraints and reduce prices. To this end, countries should focus on policies to improve the functioning of international trade, enhance productivity, tackle gender gaps in the labour market and boost living standards
Russia and Ukraine are major commodities producers, and disruptions have caused global prices to soar, especially for oil and natural gas. Food costs have jumped, with wheat,
