Strong cyclical dynamics, together with an easing of macroeconomic policies in the United States and elsewhere, have boosted large parts of the global economy, into the initial phase of a recovery in 2002. Nonetheless, the global recovery is fragile, because investment spending is insufficient...

The global economy appears to be transitioning toward a more stable period. Although acute risks have diminished, real-side activity remains sluggish †“ especially in high-income Europe. Most developing countries have fully recovered from the crisis. Although growth is slower than during the...