This paper highlights that the performance of the world economy in 1984 turned out to be considerably better than had been expected at the beginning of the year. Output grew robustly in the industrial countries, especially in the United States and Japan; inflation continued to decline; and developing countries saw a noteworthy improvement both in their balance-of-payments position and in their domestic growth performance. Fears that the debt situation might deteriorate did not materialize.

This paper highlights that the world economic condition improved significantly during 1988. In industrial countries, output growth strengthened markedly in an environment of moderate inflation. World trade expanded at its fastest rate since 1984, which had important spillover effects on many developing countries, particularly the exporters of manufactures; significant progress was made in reducing external imbalances among the major industrial countries; and the aggregate debt-to-exports ratio of developing countries was reduced. At the same time, several aspects of the current situation continue to demand the attention of policymakers.

This report presents revised projections resulting from a country-by-country updating of the estimates published in the April 1985 World Economic Outlook. The projections are based on the usual technical assumptions of (1) unchanged nominal exchange rates among industrial countries; (2) unchanged oil prices in nominal U.S. dollar terms; and (3) “constant policies.” The report also stresses the interactions of policies and developments among IMF members. These interactions are particularly evident from the way in which differences in economic policy mix have affected domestic savings and investment positions and hence interest rate differentials and trade flows.

This paper describes the world economy in 1991 and balanced growth in industrial countries. The year 1985 has been somewhat disappointing from the viewpoint of economic growth. Expansion fell back by more than expected in the industrial world, and world trade increased only modestly. Macroeconomic policies in industrial countries are likely to be directed toward the medium-term objective of maintaining financial stability, while reducing the claims of governments on economic resources. Macroeconomic policies in developing countries reflect the considerable diversity of circumstances of the countries included in this group.

The World Economic Outlook (WEO) presents the IMF’s leading economists’ analyses of global economic developments during the near and medium terms. It is a respected, one-stop, trusted resource offering remarkable insight, balance, and perspective to decision makers and policymakers worldwide. Published twice yearly, the World Economic Outlook presents the outlook for growth, inflation, trade, employment, and other economic developments in a clear, practical format. Each WEO considers the issues affecting advanced, emerging market, and developing economies. Central bankers, economists, Financial institutions, business leaders, governments, think tanks, and researchers eagerly await this unique investigation of what’s happening and what’s ahead.

"I would like to thank the business and education leaders who served on the CED Subcommittee on Finance and Third World Economic Growth for their diligent work and practical contributions. In particular I would like to thank Subcommittee Chairman James W. McKee, chairman of the executive committee of CPC International Inc., whose leadership, insight, and interest in these issues guided the subcommittee through to publication of the policy statement. I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding work of Professor Isaiah Frank of the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, who served as project director. His knowledge in this field and expertise in drafting the statement clarified many complex issues. Thanks also go to Research Assistant Patricia Pollard of Johns Hopkins University, who was of valuable assistance to Dr. Frank in compiling the necessary research. William "

The global economic recovery is progressing better than expected, but the speed of recovery varies, as outlined in the April 2010 World Economic Outlook. Some countries, notably in Asia, are off to a strong start, but growth in others is constrained by lasting damage to the financial sector and to household balance sheets. The challenge for policymakers is to ensure a smooth transition of demand, while maintaining supports that promote growth and employment. There is also a need to contain and reduce public debt and repair and reform the financial sector. This issue of the WEO also explores two other key challenges in the wake of the Great Recession: how to spur job creation in the face of likely high and persistent unemployment in advanced economies, and how countries that previously ran large current account surpluses or deficits can promote growth by rebalancing external and domestic demand.

The paper describes developments in the world economy during 1987–88, and discusses considerations underlying the IMF staff’s short-term projections. The paper highlights that although the world economy is continuing to expand at a moderate pace, the persistence of large fiscal and external imbalances clouds the international economic outlook. An important positive development in 1987 was the strengthening of policy coordination among the major industrial countries. The paper assesses the policy issues facing the industrial countries, against the background of alternative scenarios of medium-term developments.

This volume surveys current views in the debate about the impact of foreign direct investment on Third World development--on growth, employment, exports, technology, and distribution of income. It examines whether the efforts of less developed countries to attract and control multinational corporations have constituted a serious "distortion" of trade that threatens jobs in the home nations. It provides new studies of foreign investment in agriculture and in the least developed states. It looks at the threat of transmitting environmental pollution. And it analyzes the link between international companies and the "umbrella" of World Bank cofinancing as a mechanism to reduce risk. Finally, it attempts to estimate how much of the "gap" in commercial bank lending might plausibly be filled by direct corporate investment over the next decade.

This comprehensive history, published jointly by the IMF and Oxford University Press, was written to mark the fiftieth anniversary of international monetary cooperation. From the establishment of the postwar international monetary system in 1944 to how the framework functions in a vastly expanded world economy, historian Harol James describes the tensions, negotiations, challenges, and progress of international monetary cooperation. This narrative offers a global perspective on the events and decisions that have shaped the world economy during the past fifty years.