UN predicts zero world growth in 2009

[Joanne98]

Source: AP

GENEVA (AP) — The world economy is heading for zero growth in 2009 as a deepening recession in rich countries slows the sale of consumer goods and raw materials from developing nations, the United Nations said Tuesday.

The global body's trade and development office, UNCTAD, said it has downgraded its forecast for this year after a worse-than-expected economic performance during the fourth quarter of 2008.

"For the world as a whole the outcome could be zero or even slightly below zero (growth)," said Heiner Flassbeck, a senior official at the Geneva-based office.

"This is not an overly pessimistic view on the world economy," he added.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4tHeW-Vgujdtt6BZTE5fXQJ_R6wD95NLTLG0

[TransitJohn]

1. Damn

I read your post's headline and thought it was referring to population....no such luck.

[snooper2]

2. Same thing I thought...

:(

[Nihil]

5. Never mind ...

... it's still a move in the right direction and there is always
the chance of major population "thinning" in the coming decade
anyway ...
:thumbsup:

[The Stranger]

3. How about ZERO POPULATION GROWTH? That would be what we need.

[Jack_DeLeon]

4. For a moment I thought I know lots of people are dying in Gaza and the like, but not that many...

then I realized its about the economy.