Skip to main content

Hitachi

Hitachi Research Institute

Economic Outlook

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

Dec. 2023 Short-term Economic Outlook Summary

Global economy to remain in “fragile stability” in 2024

1.Global:2024 will be a year of “fragile stability”; no major breakdowns, but we must remain vigilant for risks.

Geopolitical risks such as the situation in the Middle East are rising, and the outlook for the global economy is highly uncertain. The global economy in 2024 is expected to remain in a state of “fragile stability” with risks such as geopolitical instability, turmoil in financial markets, and a resurgence of inflation. The growth rate is expected to be 3.0% in 2023 and 2.9% in 2024, with a recovery toward 2025, but we must remain wary of downside risks throughout 2024.

2.U.S.:Growth in the mid-1% range in 2024, with economic recovery in the second half of the year. The Fed will cut interest rates in June 2024

By the end of 2023, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a high rate in the mid-2% range, supported by strong domestic demand such as consumer spending. However, due to the cumulative effect of the Fed’s interest rate hikes, the U.S. economy is expected to slow moderately in the first half of 2024. With the economic slowdown, labor supply and demand will ease and the employment environment will deteriorate. We expect that the underlying inflation rate will continue to decline and the Fed will begin to cut policy rates from June 2024. The U.S. economy is expected to start recovering in the second half of 2024, partly due to the effect of the interest rate cut. Real GDP growth is expected to be 2.4% in 2023 and 1.5% in 2024.

3.Europe:2024 will see a weak start, especially in Germany, with inflation easing and economic recovery starting in the second half of the year

By the end of 2023, the eurozone economy is expected to grow at a low rate of around 0.5%, mainly due to a decline in purchasing power caused by inflation. The economy will start to recover from mid-2024 onwards as real wages recover and China’s economy stabilizes. The ECB is expected to start cutting interest rates from June 2024 after confirming a decline in underlying inflation. The year 2024 is expected to see a moderate recovery in the UK economy due to slower inflation and higher wages. Real GDP growth for the euro area is expected to be 0.5% in 2023 and 0.7% in 2024. Real GDP growth for the UK is expected to be 0.5% in 2023 and 0.7% in 2024.

4.China:Economic recovery in 2024 due to increased infrastructure investment and real estate measures, but structural problems remain

The Chinese government will invest an additional RMB 1 trillion (0.8% of GDP) in infrastructure construction, including flood reconstruction and prevention, in response to the slowdown in the economy. The economy will be boosted by infrastructure investment in the first half of 2024. The property market, which continues to stagnate, has been taken measures by the PBOC by cutting policy interest rates and encouraging financial institutions to lending developers. Although consumption is slow due to falling property values and job insecurity, we expect a gradual recovery in second half of 2024 as completion of unfinished property and adjustment of inventory progress. However, growth will decline over the medium term amid structural problems such as rising debt, slowdown of foreign capital inflows and youth unemployment. Real GDP growth rates are expected to be 5.1% in 2023 and 4.6% in 2024.

5.India-ASEAN:Strong growth in general will continue, but beware of renewed inflation and sluggish external demand

India continued to grow steadily, supported by firm domestic demand, including infrastructure investment and consumption. Inflation is generally within the inflation target range, and the suspension of interest rate hikes since April 2023 has mitigated the risk of downward pressure on the economy. The growth rate is forecast to be 6.7% in FY2023 and 6.1% in FY2024. ASEAN economies generally continuing to recover, but the pace of growth is somewhat uneven from country to country. Growth rates are expected to be 4.5% in 2023 and 5.0% in 2024.

6.Japan:Moderate recovery will continue in 2024, supported by real wage recovery and economic measures

In FY2023, the Japanese economy is expected to grow in the mid-1% range due to a recovery in exports and inbound demand, etc. In FY2024, a moderate recovery is expected to continue due to such as increased consumption supported by real wage recovery, economic measures, and the emergence of capital investment. Based on the favorable conclusion outlook for the annual wage talks (Shunto), BOJ is expected to expand or eliminate the upper limit of yield curve control and eliminate negative interest rates in spring 2024. Capital investment has been somewhat weak at present, although a high level of investment is planned. We expect investment, which has lagged behind planned levels, to materialize in FY2024, with high ordinary income. Exports have been strong, but the global economic slowdown is a downside risk factor. Growth rates are forecast to be 1.5% in FY2023 (1.9% in CY 2023) and 0.9% in FY2024 (0.8% in CY 2023).

Global Economic Outlook

Global Economic Outlook
Note:Values for Japan differ from those shown in the table below on a fiscal-year basis because they are on a calendar-year basis. However, India’s figures are shown on a fiscal-year basis. ASEAN5 is comprised of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Source: IMF, forecasts by Hitachi Research Institute

Japanese Economic Outlook

Japanese Economic Outlook
Note:The individual numbers and their sum may not match due to fractional processing.
Source: Cabinet Office, forecasts 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