Risk of a global recession is minimal, IMF economist says — would take 'a lot to derail' (2024)

One of the International Monetary Fund's top economists signals little risk of a global recession, despite the ongoing rumblings of geopolitical uncertainty.

The Washington DC-based institute this week nudged its global growth outlook slightly higher to 3.2% in 2024 and projects the same rate in 2025.

"When we do the risk assessment around that baseline, the chances that we would have something like a global recession is fairly minimal. At this point, it will take a lot to derail this economy. So there has been tremendous resilience in terms of growth prospects," Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, economic counsellor and director of the research department at the IMF, told CNBC's Karen Tso on Tuesday at the group's meeting in New York.

The "set of good news" includes strong economic performance by the U.S. and several emerging market economies, along with inflation falling faster than expected until recently despite weaker growth in Europe, Gourinchas said.

Risk of a global recession is minimal, IMF economist says — would take 'a lot to derail' (2)

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A spillover of Middle East tensions is a big geopolitical risk, says IMF's Gita Gopinath

There is divergence within Europe, he added, with the IMF downgrading its growth forecasts for Germany, France and Italy, but taking them higher for Spain, Portugal, Belgium and the U.K.

Growth forecasts since fall last year have had to factor in increased geopolitical instability, with tensions in the Middle East looming over the oil market, while Israel's war with Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip led to disruptions in shipping routes in the Red Sea, by way of maritime attacks from Yemeni Houthis. That has all combined with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which had its biggest wider impact on energy prices in Europe in 2022.

Oil prices increasing significantly and persistently throughout 2024 and further disruption to shipments between Asia and Europe would fuel inflation in 2024, Gourinchas noted, which would then cause central banks to hold rates higher for longer and weigh on global growth.

Economic Counsellor and Director of the Research Department Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas makes a statement during the presentation of the World Economic Outlook at the International Monetary Fund during the 2024 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington DC, United States on April 16, 2024.

Celal Gunes | Anadolu | Getty Images

By the IMF's estimate, a consistent rise in oil prices of around 15% in 2024 would push up global inflation by around 0.7%, though the value of the commodity has so far proved relatively stable even through the recent spike in Israel-Iran tensions.

Despite the positivity of the latest forecast, Gita Gopinath, the IMF's deputy managing director, told CNBC on Tuesday she assessed geopolitical risks as a "big concern."

"We have somehow managed the situation so far, and we're not seeing big spillovers from the Middle East. But that is not a given. And that's one of the big risks that we do see, the implications that could have for oil prices could be substantial. If the conflict were to escalate, become much bigger conflict," she said.

Risk of a global recession is minimal, IMF economist says — would take 'a lot to derail' (2024)

FAQs

Risk of a global recession is minimal, IMF economist says — would take 'a lot to derail'? ›

One of the International Monetary Fund's top economists signals little risk of a global recession, despite the ongoing rumblings of geopolitical uncertainty. The Washington DC-based institute this week nudged its global growth outlook slightly higher to 3.2% in 2024 and projects the same rate in 2025.

How does the IMF define global recession? ›

It is a sustained period when economic output falls and unemployment rises.

What is the role of the IMF in a recession? ›

The IMF helps member countries facing an economic crisis by offering loans, technical assistance, and surveillance of economic policies. Money to fund the IMF's activities comes from member countries that pay a quota based on the size of each country's economy and its importance in world trade and finance.

What is the recession risk probability? ›

Basic Info. US Recession Probability is at 58.31%, compared to 58.31% last month and 57.77% last year.

Is there a risk of recession? ›

After global growth exceeded expectations in 2023, businesses' perceived probability of a global recession has fallen substantially in 2024, according to Oxford Economics data. Oxford's global risk survey in January showed a recession probability of 7.2% — less than half of what it was in October 2023.

Is the IMF warning about global recession? ›

One of the International Monetary Fund's top economists signals little risk of a global recession, despite the ongoing rumblings of geopolitical uncertainty. The Washington DC-based institute this week nudged its global growth outlook slightly higher to 3.2% in 2024 and projects the same rate in 2025.

What does IMF do in the global economy? ›

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) works to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for all of its 190 member countries. It does so by supporting economic policies that promote financial stability and monetary cooperation, which are essential to increase productivity, job creation, and economic well-being.

How does the IMF help resolve the economic crisis? ›

The IMF provides financial assistance and works with governments to ensure responsible spending. The IMF offers various types of loans that are tailored to countries' different needs and specific circ*mstances. Loans to low-income countries carry a zero interest rate.

What do economists at the IMF do? ›

You would analyze and design an appropriate mix of fiscal, monetary, and exchange rate policies to promote and maintain macroeconomic stability, examine macro-financial linkages in an increasingly globalized world, address issues of good economic governance, examine issues of fiscal and external debt sustainability, ...

Are we in a global recession in 2024? ›

Global economic growth set to slow to 2.6% in 2024, just above recession threshold | UNCTAD.

Is the US entering a recession? ›

Though the economy occasionally sputtered in 2022, it has certainly been resilient — and now, in the second quarter of 2024, the U.S. is still not currently in a recession, according to a traditional definition.

Who will be most affected by recession? ›

Which Industries Are Most Affected by a Recession?
  • A recession is “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months.”
  • Industries affected most include retail, restaurants, travel/tourism, leisure/hospitality, service purveyors, real estate, & manufacturing/warehouse.
Nov 14, 2022

Who is safe in a recession? ›

Utility Services. Utility workers are often unseen front-line responders with stable recession-proof jobs. They will always be in demand since utilities such as water, electricity, the Internet, and waste management are essential to maintain public health and order.

What is the #1 cause of recession? ›

Recessions are the result of shocks to aggregate supply or aggregate demand in the economy or both. A supply shock occurs when something reduces the economy's ability to produce output at a given price level.

What jobs are layoff proof? ›

10 recession-proof fields
  • Patient care technician.
  • Certified nursing assistant.
  • Registered nurse.
  • Health care administrator.
  • Medical technologist.
  • Laboratory technician.
Dec 1, 2023

How bad is the US economy right now? ›

Updated as of May 20. The state of the U.S. economy is strong despite inflation remaining elevated. The economy is expanding at a crisp pace, unemployment is low, inflation is slowing from its peak.

What is considered a global recession? ›

A global recession is recession that affects many countries around the world—that is, a period of global economic slowdown or declining economic output. Countries by real GDP growth rate (2009) Countries by real GDP growth rate (2014) Number of countries having a banking crisis in each year since 1800.

What is the World Bank definition of a recession? ›

Using these two methods, a global recession is defined as an annual contraction in world real per capita GDP accompanied by a broad decline in various other measures of global economic activity. A global recession begins just after the world economy reaches a peak of activity and ends when it reaches its trough.

What qualifies as a recession? ›

Most commentators and analysts use, as a practical definition of recession, two consecutive quarters of decline in a country's real (inflation-adjusted) gross domestic product (GDP)—the value of all goods and services a country produces.

What is the World Bank statement on global recession? ›

Global growth is slowing sharply, with further slowing likely as more countries fall into recession. My deep concern is that these trends will persist, with long-lasting consequences that are devastating for people in emerging market and developing economies,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass.

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