Croissance et déséquilibres de l'économie mondiale. Une projection CEPII-OFCE à l'horizon 1993

In: Revue de l'OFCE, Band 28, Heft 1, S. 15-70

Abstract

The article presents the first medium-term projection of the world economy made using MIMOSA, a model built jointly by the CEPII and the OFCE.
After the unexpectedly good performance of the world economy in 1988, a period of slow down could take place in 1989/1990, resulting in part from strong anti-inflationary policies.
Growth in OECD countries would settle at around 3 % a year until 1 993. There would nevertheless be significant differences : growth would be moderate in the United States (2 % a year over the 1988-1993 period), while still vigorous in Japan (4,5 %) ; growth in the EEC would be one point higher than it was between 1979 and 1987, but still disappointing (2,7 %). After a period of lower growth rates than its Européen partners (1983-1987), France would reach the 2,6 % EEC average. The situation would be more propitious for developing countries in Latin America and Africa, which would gradually begin growing again, while Asia as a whole would see particularly strong growth. Inflation would remain under control : it would be weak in Japan, West Germany and France (respectively 1,4, 1,1 and 2,5 % in 1993). It would be significatly higher in the United States (5,4 %).
Oil prices would stabilise in real terms before increasing slowly at the beginning of 1 990. In spite of the dollar's nominal depreciation, (1 ,5 mark and 95 yen) and of the slow down of American growth, imbalances would remain : the United States current account deficit would reach 3,2 % of GNP by the end of the period, while Japaneese and German surpluses would persist.
Finally, disparities in Europe would gradually worsen. Whereas the unemployment rate would remain at a high level in France and Italy (1 1 %), it would decrease steadily in Germany, to reach 5,3 % in 1993, while remaining below its 1987 level in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, large gaps would remain as far as public accounts are concerned, French discipline contrasting with a persistant deficit in Italy, and the external debt of the United Kingdom would grow. Even though a low inflation rate could be maintained (except for Italy), the objective of macroeconomic convergence within the EEC would still be far from being achieved in 1993.