World economic situation and prospects 2010: global outlook
In the outlook, global economic recovery is expected to remain sluggish, unemployment rates will stay high and inflation will remain low. Developing countries, especially those in Asia, are expected to show the strongest recovery in 2010. Nonetheless, growth is expected to remain well below potential and the pre-crisis levels of performance in the developing world. As a consequence, it will take more time and greater efforts to make up for the significant setbacks in the progress towards poverty reduction and the fight against hunger, as well as the other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The crisis has impacted severely on low-income countries and the most vulnerable. Even given the signs of economic recovery, many are still facing declines in household incomes, rising unemployment, and the effects of dwindling government revenue on social services. Where these adverse impacts cannot be countered because of weak social safety nets and lack of fiscal space to protect social spending and promote job creation, there is a high risk of long-lasting setbacks in human development.