'Precarious position,' World Bank on state of global economy amid high interest rates

By the end of 2024, economic activity in these economies is expected to be approximately 5 percent lower than projected before the pandemic. In low-income countries, per capita incomes in 2024 will still be below 2019 levels in more than one-third of the countries, perpetuating extreme poverty.

"Many developing economies are struggling to cope with weak growth, persistently high inflation, and record debt levels. Yet new hazards — such as the possibility of more widespread spillovers from renewed financial stress in advanced economies — could make matters even worse for them,” said Ayhan Kose, Deputy Chief Economist of the World Bank Group.

"Policy makers in these economies should act promptly to prevent financial contagion and reduce near-term domestic vulnerabilities," Kose added.

The report also addresses the growth prospects of advanced economies, which are expected to decelerate. The US economy is forecast to grow at 1.1 percent in 2023 but slow down to 0.8 percent in 2024 due to the lingering impact of rising interest rates. In the euro area, growth is projected to slow to 0.4 percent in 2023 compared to 3.5 percent in 2022, primarily due to monetary policy tightening and energy-price increases.

"The surest way to reduce poverty and spread prosperity is through employment — and slower growth makes job creation a lot harder," said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, adding, "It’s important to keep in mind that growth forecasts are not destiny. We have an opportunity to turn the tide but it will take us all working together."

Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank Group Indermit Gill described the world economy as being far from the dynamism required to address poverty, climate change, and human capital replenishment.

"In 2023, trade will grow at less than a third of its pace in the years before the pandemic. In emerging markets and developing economies, debt pressures are growing due to higher interest rates. Fiscal weaknesses have already tipped many low-income countries into debt distress. Meanwhile, the financing needs to achieve the sustainable development goals are far greater than even the most optimistic projections of private investment," Gill said.

The World Bank upgraded its 2023 outlook for China after Beijing late last year relaxed its draconian zero-COVID policies, which had restricted travel and hammered its economy. The world’s second-biggest economy is now expected to grow 5.6 percent in 2023, up from 3 percent last year. The World Bank envisions Japan’s growth decelerating to 0.8 percent this year from 1 percent in 2022. It foresees India’s growth slowing to a still-strong 6.3 percent from 7.2 percent last year.

The bank predicts that global trade will slow markedly this year. It foresees a sharp drop in the price of energy and other commodities this year and next.