Risk of Global Recession in 2023 Rises Amid Simultaneous Rate Hikes

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Risk of Global Recession in 2023

WASHINGTON, September 15, 2022—As central banks across the world simultaneously hike interest rates in response to inflation, the world may be edging toward a global recession in 2023 and a string of financial crises in emerging market and developing economies that would do them lasting harm, according to a comprehensive new study by the World Bank.

Central banks around the world have been raising interest rates this year with a degree of synchronicity not seen over the past five decades—a trend that is likely to continue well into next year, according to the report. Yet the currently expected trajectory of interest-rate increases and other policy actions may not be sufficient to bring global inflation back down to levels seen before the pandemic. Investors expect central banks to raise global monetary-policy rates to almost 4 percent through 2023—an increase of more than 2 percentage points over their 2021 average.

Unless supply disruptions and labor-market pressures subside, those interest-rate increases could leave the global core inflation rate (excluding energy) at about 5 percent in 2023—nearly double the five-year average before the pandemic, the study finds. To cut global inflation to a rate consistent with their targets, central banks may need to raise interest rates by an additional 2 percentage points, according to the report’s model. If this were accompanied by financial-market stress, global GDP growth would slow to 0.5 percent in 2023—a 0.4 percent contraction in per–capita terms that would meet the technical definition of a 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. To achieve low inflation rates, currency stability and faster growth, policymakers could shift their focus from reducing consumption to boosting production. Policies should seek to generate additional investment and improve productivity and capital allocation, which are critical for growth and poverty reduction.”

The study highlights the unusually fraught circumstances under which central banks are fighting inflation today. Several historical indicators of global recessions are already flashing warnings. The global economy is now in its steepest slowdown following a post-recession recovery since 1970. Global consumer confidence has already suffered a much sharper decline than in the run-up to previous global recessions. The world’s three largest economies—the United States, China, and the euro area—have been slowing sharply. Under the circumstances, even a moderate hit to the global economy over the next year could tip it into recession.

The study relies on insights from previous global recessions to analyze the recent evolution of economic activity and presents scenarios for 2022–24. A slowdown—such that the one now underway—typically calls for countercyclical policy to support activity. However, the threat of inflation and limited fiscal space are spurring policymakers in many countries to withdraw policy support even as the global economy slows sharply.

The experience of the 1970s, the policy responses to the   global recession, the subsequent period of stagflation, and the global recession of 1982 illustrate the risk of allowing inflation to remain elevated for long while growth is weak. The 1982 global recession coincided with the second-lowest growth rate in developing economies over the past five decades, second only to 2020. It triggered more than 40 debt crises] and was followed by a decade of lost growth in many developing economies.

“Recent tightening of monetary and fiscal policies will likely prove helpful in reducing inflation,” said Ayhan Kose, the World Bank’s Acting Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions. “But because they are highly synchronous across countries, they could be mutually compounding in tightening financial conditions and steepening the global growth slowdown. Policymakers in emerging market and developing economies need to stand ready to manage the potential spillovers from globally synchronous tightening of policies.”

Central banks should persist in their efforts to control inflation—and it can be done without touching off a global recession, the study finds. But it will require concerted action by a variety of policymakers:

  1. Central banks must communicate policy decisions clearly while safeguarding their independence. This could help anchor inflation expectations and reduce the degree of tightening needed. In advanced economies, central banks should keep in mind the cross-border spillover effects of monetary tightening. In emerging market and developing economies, they should strengthen macroprudential regulations and build foreign-exchange reserves.
  2. Fiscal authorities will need to carefully calibrate the withdrawal of fiscal support measures while ensuring consistency with monetary-policy objectives. The fraction of countries tightening fiscal policies next year is expected to reach its highest level since the early 1990s. This could amplify the effects of monetary policy on growth. Policymakers should also put in place credible medium-term fiscal plans and provide targeted relief to vulnerable households.
  3. Other economic policymakers will need to join in the fight against inflation—particularly by taking strong steps to boost global supply. These include:

  o  Easing labor-market constraints. Policy measures need to help increase labor-force participation and reduce price pressures. Labor-market policies can facilitate the reallocation of displaced workers.

o  Boosting the global supply of commodities. Global coordination can go a long way in increasing food and energy supply. For energy commodities, policymakers should accelerate the transition to low–carbon energy sources and introduce measures to reduce energy consumption.

o  Strengthening global trade networksPolicymakers should cooperate to alleviate global supply bottlenecks. They should support a rules-based international economic order, one that guards against the threat of protectionism and fragmentation that could further disrupt trade networks.

The World Bank supports clean energy generation in Dominica

Washington, D.C., January 26, 2024, The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a project designed to support the Commonwealth of Dominica in developing and integrating clean, sustainable and low-cost energy. Through this $38.5 million project, a new robust transmission network will be built to withstand natural hazards, strengthening Dominica’s electricity grid. Risk of Global Recession in 2023.

The challenges faced by Dominica, as a Small Island Developing State, are multi-faceted, stemming from natural hazards, topographical constraints, and external economic shocks. Despite being an upper-middle-income country, Dominica has grappled with persistent economic challenges, exacerbated by hurricanes – such as Hurricane Maria which caused Dominicans to go without power for an extended period in 2017 – and the global COVID-19 pandemic. These underscore the urgent need for sustainable and resilient infrastructure, especially in the critical area of energy generation. Dominica’s electricity sector is currently challenged by outdated infrastructure, largely dependent on aging diesel generators which result in high electricity expenses and an unreliable power supply, hampering the country’s competitiveness. Risk of Global Recession in 2023.

In response to these challenges, geothermal energy has been identified by the Government of Dominica as a transformative solution to propel the country toward a green and resilient economy, particularly as it possesses geothermal resources far exceeding its current domestic needs. The World Bank’s ongoing Dominica Geothermal Risk Mitigation Project is supporting the development of the first geothermal power plant through drilling of new geothermal wells, critical for plant viability and increasing its capacity. The project will also oversee technical studies. Risk of Global Recession in 2023.

“Dominica is making significant strides in geothermal energy, with innovative investments to deliver clean, low-cost electricity to its citizens and thereafter, the Eastern Caribbean. With support from the World Bank and the Government of Canada, we are building a resilient network for geothermal energy transmission. This network is critical for the commissioning of a 10MW geothermal power plant by Ormat Technologies Inc. Geothermal energy can transform the nation’s energy sector and the economy by reducing electricity costs, achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030 and generating new streams of revenue from the sale of green energy,” stated Hon. Dr. Vince Henderson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy for Dominica.

To complement these efforts, the new Dominica Geothermal Risk Mitigation Project II will allow for the construction of new electrical transmission lines and substations to connect and evacuate electricity generated from the geothermal plant to Dominica’s largest electricity distribution center in the southwest. The project will create a strong network for transmission of electricity with redundancy between key power plants and the demand center, to withstand known natural hazards in the area and thus improve resilience of the entire grid. Risk of Global Recession in 2023zRisk of Global Recession in 2023.

Dominicans will benefit from access to more reliable, cost-efficient and sustainable electricity and the private sector will see less interruption to their production, through the second phase of this project. Households, in particular, will enjoy welfare gains fostering improved opportunities for income, education, and healthcare,” said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean.  “Supporting women’s participation in the energy sector will also be crucial for the success of the project,” she added. Risk of Global Recession in 2023.

To help responses to future extreme weather events, the project will also facilitate the procurement of emergency spare parts and equipment for efficient and fast repairs, as well as provide technical assistance to improve emergency preparedness, strengthen the regulatory framework, and modernize the grid. Risk of Global Recession in 2023. Risk of Global Recession in 2023.

Special focus is placed on inclusion. The project will foster women’s participation in Dominica’s energy sector through the provision of educational programs, scholarships, employment and internship opportunities in electrical, mechanical engineering or other relevant areas. This component will be financed by the Canada-World Bank Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility. Risk of Global Recession in 2023.

Canada is pleased to support the Canada-World Bank Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility as part of its climate finance envelope. Through our international climate finance program, Canada takes pride in assisting developing countries in their shift towards low-carbon and more climate-resilient economies, all while adopting a gender-responsive approach. The Dominica Geothermal Risk Mitigation II project is a clear example of how climate finance can effectively tackle gender barriers, ensuring that the clean energy transition is inclusive for all,” remarked Her Excellency, Lilian Chatterjee, High Commissioner for Canada to Dominica.

The Dominica Geothermal Risk Mitigation Project II is financed through a World Bank International Development Association (IDA) credit of $38.5 million and a $0.25 million grant from the Canada-World Bank Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility. IDA credits are a zero to low-interest loan mechanism designed to boost economic growth, reduce inequalities and improve living conditions. Risk of Global Recession in 2023.

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