What awaits the world in 2014? Soon we will know the answers to this question. In the meantime, you can listen to the opinion of experts who are actively publishing their forecasts for the coming year.
We studied the forecasts of such reputable experts as the World Economic Forum and Goldman Sachs. So were collected in the current Top 10 major economic and political trends of next year.
10. Strengthening the role of megacities
Large cities have been the pillar of the global economy for many years. And although in recent years they say that the population of megacities is turning to life “on earth” and downshifting is gaining popularity, forecasts say that in search of jobs more and more people are leaving rural areas and moving to cities.
9. Central banks will “curtail” economic support programs
The market requires a refusal from state regulation, which means that already in 2014 the central banks of developed countries will be forced to abandon economic incentive programs.
8. The risk of falling commodity prices is increasing
In 2014, a decrease of more than 15% in the prices of copper, gold, soy and iron ore is projected. Energy prices are not so predictable and will depend on the dynamics of the global economy.
7. Rising tensions in the Middle East and North Africa
The views of various categories of the population are becoming increasingly polarized, relations are aggravating, and against the backdrop of high unemployment and economic instability, the situation threatens to become simply explosive.
6. Increase in unemployment
Even today, even in Europe and North America, youth unemployment reaches 50%. The problem takes on a global scale and threatens to become global. Employers are becoming more and more finicky in search of both inexpensive and skilled labor, which is sufficient in the labor market of developed countries due to the influx of educated migrants.
5. The growth of distrust in public administration
The decline in living standards caused by the economic downturn is causing increasing discontent among the population of even the most prosperous countries. Radical sentiments will increase among the masses, and confidence in political and economic forecasts will decline to an unprecedented level.
4. Strengthening cyber threats
The increasing penetration of the latest technologies into our lives increases the risks associated with them. The scandal caused by the statements of Edward Snowden about the total surveillance of the US government by its citizens and the whole world, as experts began to predict new revelations, has not yet subsided.
3. Increase in social inequality
Reducing social spending in most countries has become a familiar way of dealing with crises. However, this approach leads to the fact that even in developed countries an increasing number of people are approaching the poverty line.
2. The global economy will continue to be weak.
Experts predict that the G4 central banks will keep interest rates at around zero for quite some time (until 2016). Although the forecast for global economic growth is positive, no significant changes are expected in the coming year.
1. China's economy will grow
One of the few economies whose growth will be confident and quite active is Chinese. Therefore, the investment attractiveness of China in the international market is growing.
