Economic Outlooks
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Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013: China
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013
China is becoming a more mature economy with growth that is more consistent with middle-income affluence. Going into the second quarter, there are signs of weakness. The question now is whether the government has the flexibility necessary to stimulate the economy.
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Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013: India
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013
The Indian economy is caught between low growth and stubbornly high inflation. High fiscal and current-account deficits restrict the government’s ability to undertake proactive stimulus programs; the Reserve Bank of India is expected to reduce policy rates, though marginally, in order to boost economic activity.
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Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013: Malaysia
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013
The first quarter has been fairly positive for the Malaysian economy, although there are a few concerns: political unrest, struggling exports, a potential credit bubble, and high government debt. The coming quarter will likely be similar.
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Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013: Thailand
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013
Robust growth, low unemployment, stable inflation, strong currency, and growing equity market—2012 was marked by significant improvements in Thailand with respect to all economic parameters. However, there are three key challenges that the country faces from both external and domestic sources.
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How immigration is shaping the United States
Issues by the Numbers, May 2013
Immigration and immigration reform are perennial topics of debate in the United States. What do the data say about how immigration is shaping the country?
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Infographic: Making America smarter, stronger, and younger
Issues by the Numbers, May 2013
Explore the numbers behind the immigration debate.
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China
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, April 2013
Chinese inflation has abated and credit expanded, contributing to optimism that a revival of economic fortunes is underway. But the central authorities will have to make difficult choices: They want credit to expand, but they don’t want to fuel inflation or foster credit-crisis conditions.
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Japan
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, April 2013
After decades of economic stagnation, Japan is focusing on reviving growth. Spurred by economic policies introduced by the new prime minister, the central bank of Japan announced monetary stimulus programs to increase demand. However, these reforms are yet to boost real GDP growth and industrial production.
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Singapore
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, April 2013
Singapore’s economic growth is turning out to be weaker than expected. The government has taken strong measures to check two of the major drivers of inflation in the economy: house prices and vehicle prices.
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Vietnam
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, April 2013
As Vietnam continues to struggle with falling GDP growth rates, mounting levels of bad debt, and a weak banking system, the government has introduced measures to restructure the banking system and boost private enterprise growth. Meanwhile, Vietnam is slowly emerging as a low-cost manufacturing destination.
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Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013: China
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013
China is becoming a more mature economy with growth that is more consistent with middle-income affluence. Going into the second quarter, there are signs of weakness. The question now is whether the government has the flexibility necessary to stimulate the economy.
-
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013: India
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013
The Indian economy is caught between low growth and stubbornly high inflation. High fiscal and current-account deficits restrict the government’s ability to undertake proactive stimulus programs; the Reserve Bank of India is expected to reduce policy rates, though marginally, in order to boost economic activity.
-
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013: Malaysia
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013
The first quarter has been fairly positive for the Malaysian economy, although there are a few concerns: political unrest, struggling exports, a potential credit bubble, and high government debt. The coming quarter will likely be similar.
-
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013: Thailand
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, May 2013
Robust growth, low unemployment, stable inflation, strong currency, and growing equity market—2012 was marked by significant improvements in Thailand with respect to all economic parameters. However, there are three key challenges that the country faces from both external and domestic sources.
-
How immigration is shaping the United States
Issues by the Numbers, May 2013
Immigration and immigration reform are perennial topics of debate in the United States. What do the data say about how immigration is shaping the country?
-
Infographic: Making America smarter, stronger, and younger
Issues by the Numbers, May 2013
Explore the numbers behind the immigration debate.
-
China
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, April 2013
Chinese inflation has abated and credit expanded, contributing to optimism that a revival of economic fortunes is underway. But the central authorities will have to make difficult choices: They want credit to expand, but they don’t want to fuel inflation or foster credit-crisis conditions.
-
Japan
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, April 2013
After decades of economic stagnation, Japan is focusing on reviving growth. Spurred by economic policies introduced by the new prime minister, the central bank of Japan announced monetary stimulus programs to increase demand. However, these reforms are yet to boost real GDP growth and industrial production.
-
Singapore
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, April 2013
Singapore’s economic growth is turning out to be weaker than expected. The government has taken strong measures to check two of the major drivers of inflation in the economy: house prices and vehicle prices.
-
Vietnam
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, April 2013
As Vietnam continues to struggle with falling GDP growth rates, mounting levels of bad debt, and a weak banking system, the government has introduced measures to restructure the banking system and boost private enterprise growth. Meanwhile, Vietnam is slowly emerging as a low-cost manufacturing destination.
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Introduction
Global Economic Outlook Q2 2013
The global economic environment shows signs of improving, but in fits and starts. Troubling events keep getting in the way of an unambiguously positive story. Still, the story appears to be getting better. Financial market stress in Europe remains at manageable levels despite the crisis in Cyprus. In the United States, a substantial contraction…
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United States: Poised for accelerating growth in the near term
Global Economic Outlook Q2 2013
Slowly improving employment, growing household wealth, and the limits placed on sequestration’s economic impact suggest that the United States is headed toward a period of accelerating growth.
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Eurozone: A silver lining on the growth horizon?
Global Economic Outlook Q2 2013
For the Eurozone, 2013 will be a year of transition. Although the GDP fall in the Eurozone’s crisis countries has slowed down, short-term growth will likely be anemic rather than explosive.
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China: A slow recovery
Global Economic Outlook Q2 2013
Economic recovery from the slowdown in 2012 has been weaker than anticipated. Chinese leadership is hinting at possible reforms, and the government is beginning to revisit income distribution as segments of the population move from rural to urban areas.
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Japan: A new regime
Global Economic Outlook Q2 2013
Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party experienced a landslide victory, and its economy is improving dramatically. The Bank of Japan is planning to implement more aggressive policies. Fiscal stimulus and participation in a Trans-Pacific Partnership augur well for the country’s outlook.
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India: Citius, altius, fortius
Global Economic Outlook Q2 2013
The Indian economy is showing early signs of a recovery, suggesting that the worst may be over. The government has laid out a fiscal consolidation plan that, coupled with a moderation in wholesale prices, gives the central bank flexibility to reduce interest rates in the near future.
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Deficits: Why all the fuss?
Global Economic Outlook Q2 2013
Most of the world’s rich countries are running large budget deficits; some are engaging in austerity measures, while others are not taking much action to bring the deficits under control. So should we worry about deficits, and, if so, why?
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Economic indices (interactive)
Economic indices from the latest issue of the Global Economic Outlook including GDP growth rates, inflation rates, and major currencies (interactive).
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China
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, March 2013
Economic recovery from the slowdown in 2012 has been weaker than anticipated. Chinese leadership is hinting at possible reforms, and the government is beginning to revisit income distribution as segments of the population move from rural to urban areas.
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India
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, March 2013
The Indian economy is showing early signs of a recovery, suggesting that the worst may be over. The government laid out a fiscal consolidation plan, which coupled with a moderation in wholesale prices, gives the central bank some flexibility to reduce interest rates. Furthermore, the buoyancy of equity markets and an uptick in portfolio…
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Myanmar
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, March 2013
Political reforms and economic liberalization are resulting in the easing of trade sanctions, the resumption of international lending, and an increase in foreign investments. Additionally, rising domestic consumption and tourism will likely result in moderate growth through 2013. However, the country’s economic challenges include infrastructure, rising prices, transparency, workforce skills, the possibility…
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Philippines
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, March 2013
Domestic consumption, government spending, and business investments will likely help the Philippine economy grow at a moderate pace this year. Business investments may further rise with an imminent credit rating upgrade and government plans to relax select foreign ownership restrictions. However, exports are an area of concern, given a slowdown in global…
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Australia
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, February 2013
Australia’s economy is expected to build upon its momentum in 2013. The mining industry will remain the mainstay of the economy. The country’s housing sector is staging a recovery, but household indebtedness is a concern. Downside risks have diminished, but the debt crisis in Europe could have serious consequences for the Australian economy.
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China
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, February 2013
The Chinese economy will likely continue to grow moderately in 2013. Export growth and domestic demand both accelerated. In addition, the Chinese government recently approved a plan to correct the country’s widening income disparity.
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Indonesia
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, February 2013
Indonesia’s economy was not severely affected by a flagging global economy, but downward pressure on commodity prices dampened the country’s export revenues, weighing down its growth prospects. Yet, the economy has managed a healthy growth rate and has been able to attract sizeable investments from overseas investors. However, inadequate infrastructure, governance bottlenecks, and corruption…
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Japan
Asia Pacific Economic Outlook, January 2013
GDP growth has been disappointing, but the new prime minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe, has outlined an economic revival strategy focused on an aggressive monetary policy, increased infrastructure outlays, and additional debt financing. Already, the currency has experienced a significant depreciation, export-oriented companies have raised profit projections, and the stock market has responded positively.