World Bank Cuts Growth Across the Board

Despite a rebound in financial markets since the depths of the credit crisis four years ago, economies around the world are still in dire need of growth.

According to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report, the global economy remains fragile, as high-income countries continue to experience slow growth and volatility. As a result, the organization cut its forecast for global gross domestic product across the board.

The following revisions from June estimates are listed below:

2.3 percent global GDP for 2012 (down from 2.5 percent)

2.4 percent global GDP for 2013 (down from 3.0 percent)

3.1 percent global GDP for 2014 (down from 3.3 percent)

3.3 percent global GDP for 2015 (unchanged)

Last year, developing countries logged their slowest growth rates of the past decade, with GDP estimated to have increased only 5.1 percent. Growth is expected to increase slightly to 5.5 percent this year, and 5.7 percent in 2014. Previously, the World Bank expected almost 6.0 percent growth in 2013.

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Growth in high-income countries also remains poor, with GDP increasing only 1.3 percent last year. In 2013, advanced economies are expected to grow 1.3 percent, and eventually hit 2 percent and 2.3 percent in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

A host of problems could reduce growth rates once again…