UNITED NATIONS — The global economy recorded its lowest growth of the decade in 2019, falling to 2.3% as a result of protracted trade disputes and a slowdown in domestic investment, the United Nations said Thursday. The U.N.'s annual report, the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020, forecast a modest acceleration in global growth, reaching 2.5% in 2020 and 2.7% in 2021. But the U.N. also cautioned that a flareup of trade tensions, financial turmoil or an escalation of geopolitical tensions could derail a recovery, slowing growth to just 1.8% this year. The report warned that slower world growth “threatens to undermine progress towards eradicating poverty, raising living standards, and creating a sufficient number of decent jobs.”

Source: International New York Times January 17, 2020 01:07 UTC