Global Growth to Continue to Rise in 2018 as Economy Overcomes Potential Political Risks

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Momentum behind the world economy remains strong despite continued political and policy uncertainties, according to new analysis released today at the World Economic Forum in Davos by IHS Markit.

In a welcome change from the past few years, global growth is strong and is expected to increase at a rate of 3.3% in 2018 and 3.2% in 2019; at or above the 2017 rate of 3.2%, and up from the 2.5% rate in 2016, the IHS Markit analysis says.

“Until recently, the lackluster global recovery was narrowly based on solid, if unexciting, growth in just a few economies—the United States, United Kingdom and Germany,” said Nariman Behravesh, chief economist, IHS Markit. “However, in 2017, the global economy recorded its best growth since 2011 supported by broader foundations, including a turnaround in the economic prospects of the Eurozone, Japan and large emerging markets such as Brazil and Russia.”

Impact on protectionism

In 2017, scenarios of pro-growth populism and protectionist populism were given roughly equal weight. Now, while the risks of protectionism remain uncomfortably high, there is growing confidence in the pro-growth policies of key economies, including the United States and France. In fact, sustained and strong economic growth may weaken the allure of populism.

The mood in Davos

“The mood in Davos this year will be one of greater and more broad-based optimism than in previous years,” Behravesh said. “Since global expansion is now stronger and more synchronized, derailing it would require a large shock. The list of such shocks is long, but the probability of any one of them doing serious damage in 2018 is low.”

The potential risks the analysis highlights include:

• Financial: a sharper-than-expected rise in inflation by global central banks, leading to damage in confidence;
• Policy: trade friction between the U.S. and its trading partners; or mismanaged deleveraging in China;
• Geopolitical: the perennial low-probability/high-impact risk of a war in the Middle East or on the Korean peninsula

Left to its own devices, however, world economic expansion could well continue into 2019.

About IHS Markit 

IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 business and government customers, including 80 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world’s leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, IHS Markit is committed to sustainable, profitable growth.