Skip to main content

Hitachi

Hitachi Research Institute

Economic Outlook

Latest economic forecasts for Japan, the U.S., Europe, and China, etc

Mar. 2022 Short-term Economic Outlook Summary

Growing Uncertainty in the COVID-19, Economy, and Inflation Trilemma and Geopolitical Risks

1. World: Uncertainty increases due to the trilemma of "COVID-19, economy, and inflation" and the tense situation in Ukraine

The world economy in 2022 will face a difficult year in which it will be required to depart from the "trilemma" situation of (1) COVID-19 suppression, (2) economic recovery, and (3) inflation control. In Europe and the U.S., the re-emergence of COVID-19 peaks out and the economies remain strong, but the challenge will be to curb rapidly rising inflation. In China, inflationary pressures are limited, but the pace of economic recovery will slow if the zero COVID-19 policy is prolonged. Japan's economy remains sluggish, especially in consumption, despite relative containment of infection. Each country and region has its own set of challenges with different priorities, and economic uncertainty remains. In addition, the Ukraine crisis is adding to the growing uncertainty. Global growth is projected to be 3.8% in 2022 and 3.4% in 2023.

2. US: Strong domestic demand and high inflation will continue; a cumulative 1.5% interest rate hike is expected in 2022

In 2022, the U.S. economy will continue to grow with strong domestic demand as COVID-19 peaks out. Investments under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will boost the economy. Although the Build Back Better package will inevitably be significantly reduced, large-scale economic stimulus measures are no longer necessary as the self-sustaining economic recovery accelerates. The Fed will raise the policy rate by a cumulative 1.5% during 2022, starting in March 2022. Quantitative tightening is also expected to begin in June 2022. Real GDP growth is projected to be 3.6% in 2022 and 2.2% in 2023.

3. Europe: In the Eurozone, the biggest risks are resource price hikes and supply constraints due to the war in Ukraine

The Eurozone economy starts off weak in 2022 due to the re-expansion of the COVID-19 infection. Consumption will pick up after March 2022 as the infection peaks out. On the other hand, the war in Ukraine is the biggest economic risk and will depress the Eurozone economy through higher energy prices and deteriorating sentiment. Eurozone inflation is at risk of remaining high due to rising energy prices. The ECB will not raise interest rates before the end of 2022. The U.K. started raising interest rates at the end of 2021 and will continue in 2022 due to strong economy and inflationary developments associated with tight labor supply and demand. Real GDP growth in the Eurozone is projected to be 3.0% in 2022 and 2.0% in 2023. Real GDP growth in the U.K. is projected to be 4.1% in 2022 and 1.9% in 2023.

4. China: Zero COVID-19 policy weighs on activity, macro policies easing to maintain stability

China is strengthening its "zero COVID-19 policy" in the face of increasing transmission of COVID-19. This policy is the signature policy of the Xi Jinping administration and will be thoroughly strengthened until the Party Congress in the fall of 2022. However, the risk of the spread of infection remains, and prolonged implementation of the zero COVID-19 policy could lead to a downturn in consumption, production, and other economic activities. Monetary easing, fiscal support such as tax cuts for small and micro enterprises, guidance to promote local infrastructure investment, and deregulation related to the real estate sector are expected to be implemented. At the National People's Congress in March 2022, the government proposed a growth rate target of "around 5.5%" for 2022, emphasizing its focus on stable growth. Real GDP growth is projected to be 5.3% in 2022 and 5.2% in 2023.

5. India-ASEAN: India recovers, but inflationary pressures push policy rate hike; ASEAN economies mixed

India's economic recovery continues with limited activity restrictions and increased fiscal spending. Core consumer prices, excluding energy and food, are hovering near 6%, the upper end of the inflation target range, and we expect the implementation of an interest rate hike within 2022. Real GDP growth is projected to be 8.0% in FY2022 and 6.5% in FY2023. ASEAN's recovery will basically continue in 2022 despite remaining disparities in economic recovery among countries. However, there are risks in the re-imposition of activity restrictions due to the rapid spread of new mutant strains, and the stalling of the Chinese economy.

6. Japan: Although consumption is the main driver of recovery, soaring oil and raw material prices will weigh on consumption and investment

With the spread of Omicron strains passes the peak, restrictions on domestic economic activity eases, and the economy will recover in 2022, especially in consumer spending. However, there is a risk of downward pressure on consumer sentiment due to the continuing trend of voluntary restraint in going out and soaring prices of daily necessities such as utilities and food. Capital investment will recover mainly in the manufacturing sector due to increased demand overseas, but soaring crude oil and raw material prices will put downward pressure on corporate earnings, and there are disparities in the degree of recovery among industries. Supply constraints, such as difficulties in procuring semiconductor components, are improving, but the impact will remain through 2022. The Kishida administration's economic stimulus measures will support the economy from spring 2022 onward, but the scale of the measures is not sufficient and the GDP gap remains large. Real GDP growth is projected to be 2.9% in FY2022 and 1.6% in FY2023.

World economic outlook

World economic outlook
Note: The figures above are calendar-year based. Accordingly, the figures of Japan are different from the fiscal-year based figures in the table below.
Source: IMF. Forecast by Hitachi Research Institute.

Japan economic outlook

Japan economic outlook
Note: Source: Japan Cabinet Office, etc. Forecast by Hitachi Research Institute.

Back Number

Oct 2, 2024
Jun 24, 2024
Mar 13, 2024
Jan 10, 2024
Dec 25, 2023
Oct 3, 2023
Jun 26, 2023
Mar 20, 2023
Jan 17, 2023
Oct 13, 2022
Jul 7, 2022
Apr 6, 2022
Jan 18, 2022
Oct 11, 2021
Jul 15, 2021
May 3, 2021
Jan 28, 2021
Oct 16, 2020
Jul 8, 2020
Mar 13, 2020
Jan 14, 2020
Oct 23, 2019
Jul 3, 2019
Mar 18, 2019
Jan 18, 2019
Nov 13, 2018
Jul 27, 2018
Apr 7, 2017
Apr 7, 2017
Sep 14, 2016
Jul 22, 2016
Jul 19, 2016
Apr 4, 2016
Feb 5, 2016
Oct 13, 2015
Jun 30, 2015
Oct 27, 2014
Jun 30, 2014
Apr 3, 2014
Feb 5, 2014
Oct 3, 2013
Jun 6, 2013
Apr 5, 2013
Dec 19, 2012
Sep 24, 2012
Jul 27, 2012
Sep 16, 2011
Jul 21, 2011
Jan 21, 2011
Sep 16, 2010
Jun 10, 2010
Mar 12, 2010
Dec 25, 2009
Sep 1, 2009
Jun 16, 2009
Mar 9, 2009
Dec 24, 2008
Nov 28, 2008
Jun 20, 2008
Mar 31, 2008
Jan 11, 2008
Jan 9, 2008
Nov 26, 2007