Global economy in its steepest slowdown since 1970: World Bank

Washington, Sep 17 (IANS) Interest rate hikes by central banks around the world could trigger a global recession in 2023, the World Bank has warned, media reports said.

Central banks have raised rates "with a degree of synchronicity not seen over the past five decades" to tackle soaring prices, World Bank said, BBC reported.

Raising rates makes borrowing more expensive to try to bring down the pace of price rises. But it also makes loans more costly, which can slow economic growth.

The warning from the World Bank came ahead of the monetary policy meetings of the US Federal Reserve and Bank of England, which are expected to increase key interest rates next week.

On Thursday, the World Bank had said that the global economy is in its steepest slowdown since 1970, BBC reported.

It said a study found that "the world's three largest economies - the US, China and the euro area - have been slowing sharply".

"Under the circumstances, even a moderate hit to the global economy over the next year could tip it into recession," it said.

The World Bank also called on central banks to coordinate their actions and "communicate policy decisions clearly" to "reduce the degree of tightening needed".

Inflation, which is the rate at which prices rise, hit a 40-year-high in the US and the UK in recent months. This was driven by higher demand as pandemic restrictions eased, and as the war in Ukraine boosted energy, fuel and food prices.

In response, central bank policymakers have raised interest rates to cool demand from households and businesses. However, big rate hikes increase the risk of recession as it can cause an economy to slow, BBC reported.