The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)’s latest Interim Economic Outlook projects global growth to reach 2.6% in 2023 and 2.9% in 2024. The OECD cites improved business and consumer confidence, declining food and energy prices and the re-opening of the Chinese economy.

Headline inflation is projected to recede gradually through 2023 in most G20 countries, from 8.1% in 2022 to 5.9% in 2023 and 4.5% in 2024. This is due to tighter monetary policy taking effect, energy prices easing after a mild winter in Europe, and global food prices declining, the OECD added. However, it adds that core inflation remains persistent, held up by strong service price increases and cost pressures from tight labour markets. Inflationary pressures will require many central banks to maintain high policy rates well into 2024.

In the euro area, annual GDP growth is projected to be 0.8% in 2023, but pick up to 1.5% in 2024 as the drag on incomes from high energy prices recedes. Growth in China is expected to rebound to 5.3% this year and 4.9% in 2024. Meanwhile, annual GDP growth in the US is projected at 1.5% in 2023 and 0.9% in 2024 as monetary policy moderates demand pressures.

“The outlook today is slightly more optimistic than our previous forecasts, though the global economy remains fragile,” OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said. “Some key risks, such as persistent large-scale energy and food market disruptions have been mitigated for now, however Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, persistence in services inflation, financial market turbulence, and the steady decline in underlying growth prospects, could be sources of further disruption. More targeted fiscal support and structural reforms to revive productivity growth will be key to optimising the recovery and long-term growth prospects.”

The OECD notes that the improvement in the outlook is at an early stage, and risks remain tilted to the downside. Uncertainty about the course of the war in Ukraine and its broader consequences is a key concern.

“The overall impact from monetary policy changes is difficult to gauge and could continue to expose financial and banking sector vulnerabilities and make it more difficult for some emerging market economies to service their debts. Pressures in global energy markets could also reappear, leading to renewed price spikes, and higher inflationary pressures,” the OECD added.