In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF provides a positive assessment of the Australian economy's performance during the global slowdown. According to the IMF, strong economic growth in Australia has been underpinned by low interest rates, the Government's First Home Owners' Grant and a competitive exchange rate. The IMF expects that the Australian economy will continue to experience solid economic growth over the remainder of 2002 and 2003, accompanied by low inflation and falling unemployment.
The IMF forecasts that the Australian economy will grow by 3.9 per cent in 2002 and by 4.0 per cent in 2003. According to the IMF, continued strength in the Australian economy will be supported by improvements in confidence and employment, and an anticipated recovery in the world economy.
Australia's expected growth rate is considerably faster than most other advanced economies, with the US expected to grow by 2.3 per cent in 2002 and 3.4 per cent in 2003 and the European Union expected to grow by 1.5 per cent in 2002 and 2.9 per cent in 2003. The Japanese economy is expected to contract by 1.0 per cent in 2002 and to grow by 0.8 per cent in 2003.
Importantly, the IMF says that solid economic growth in Australia is not expected to generate significant price pressures, with inflation forecast to remain stable at 2.3 per cent in 2002 and 2003. Moreover, the IMF expects the current account deficit to decline to 2.7 per cent as a share of GDP in 2003. These strong macroeconomic fundamentals are expected to lead to a reduction in the unemployment rate.
The IMF has revised world growth upwards from 2.4 to 2.8 per cent in 2002, rising to 4.0 per cent in 2003, noting that confidence has stabilised and uncertainty has eased. Nevertheless, the IMF says that there are significant risks for the sustainability and durability of the upturn in the world economy and that recent volatility in oil markets is of concern. The subdued outlook for the Japanese economy also remains a concern for the Asian region.
The Government welcomes the IMF's stronger assessment of the outlook for world growth, but notes its expression of caution. The Australian economy is now well placed to take full advantage of any upturn in the world economy when it arrives.