Turning Hope into Reality: OECD Economic Outlook, December 2020

Economic Outlook: Policies can turn hope of recovery into reality







A brighter outlook but recovery will be gradual
Faster vaccine deployment and better cooperation for its distribution would boost confidence and strengthen the pickup but continued uncertainty risks further weakness

Vaccination campaigns, concerted health policies and government financial support are expected to lift global GDP by 4.2% in 2021 after a fall of 4.2% this year. The recovery would be stronger if vaccines are rolled out fast, boosting confidence and lowering uncertainty.

Delays to vaccination deployment, difficulties controlling new virus outbreaks and failure to learn lessons from the first wave would weaken the outlook.

The bounce-back will be strongest in the Asian countries that have brought the virus under control but even by the end of 2021, many economies will have shrunk from 2019 levels before the pandemic.

Forecasts are highlighted by the light grey background


Source: OECD (2020), “OECD Economic Outlook, December 2020”, OECD Economic Outlook: Statistics and Projections (database). Created with Datawrapper

To read the full report, please click here.