Global economic prospects are expected to remain subdued and uncertain, according to the latest ‘Chief Economists Outlook’ report released on January 15, as the global economy continues to grapple with headwinds from tight financial conditions, geopolitical rifts and rapid advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI).

The report builds on the latest policy development research, as well as consultations and surveys with chief economists from both the public and private sectors, organised by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF's) Centre for the New Economy and Society.

The survey for this was conducted in November and December 2023.

More than half of chief economists (56%) expect the global economy to weaken this year, while 43% foresee unchanged or stronger conditions.

A majority also believe labour markets (77%) and financial conditions (70%) will loosen over the coming year.

Although the expectations for high inflation have been pared back in all regions, regional growth outlooks vary widely and no region is slated for very strong growth this year.

“The latest Chief Economists Outlook highlights the precarious nature of the current economic environment. Amid accelerating divergence, the resilience of the global economy will continue to be tested in the year ahead.

“Though global inflation is easing, growth is stalling, financial conditions remain tight, global tensions are deepening and inequalities are rising – highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation to build momentum for sustainable, inclusive economic growth,” says WEF MD Saadia Zahidi.

REGIONAL VARIATIONS

There is a notable uptick in growth expectations for Latin America and the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia, although the views remain for broadly moderate growth.

The outlook for South Asia and East Asia and Pacific remain positive and broadly unchanged compared with the last survey, with a strong majority (93% and 86%, respectively) expecting at least moderate growth this year.

China is an exception, with a smaller majority (69%) expecting moderate growth as weak consumption, lower industrial production and property market concerns weigh on the prospects of a stronger rebound.

In Europe, the outlook has weakened significantly since the September 2023 survey, with the share of respondents expecting weak or very weak growth almost doubling to 77%.

In the US and the Middle East and North Africa, the outlook is weaker too, with about six in ten respondents foreseeing moderate or stronger growth this year (down from 78% and 79%, respectively).

GEOPOLITICAL IMPACTS

About seven in ten chief economists expect the pace of geoeconomic fragmentation to accelerate this year, with a majority saying geopolitics will stoke volatility in the global economy (87%) and stock markets (80%), increase localisation (86%), strengthen geoeconomic blocs (80%) and widen the North-South divide (57%) in the next three years.

As governments increasingly experiment with industrial policy tools, experts surveyed are nearly unanimous in expecting these policies to remain largely uncoordinated between countries.

While two-thirds of chief economists expect industrial policies to enable the emergence of new economic growth hotspots and vital new industries, a majority also warn of rising fiscal strains (79%) and divergence between higher- and lower-income economies (66%).

AI TREND

Chief economists expect AI-enabled benefits to vary widely across income groups, with notably more optimistic views about the effects in high-income economies.

A majority said generative AI would increase efficiency of output production (79%) and innovation (74%) in high-income economies this year.

Looking at the next five years, 94% expect these productivity benefits to become economically significant in high-income economies, compared with only 53% for low-income economies.

Almost three-quarters (73%) do not foresee a net-positive impact on employment in low-income economies and 47% said the same for high-income economies.

The views are somewhat more divided on the likelihood of generative AI increasing standards of living or to lead to a decline in trust, with both being slightly more likely in high-income markets.