The economic background [January 2000]

In the US domestic demand growth continues to be significant with increased competition in the labour market. European growth remains sluggish but the evidence now firmly indicates a more positive outlook on growth over the year 2000. The situation in Japan remains fragile despite encouraging signs. It is widely suggested that employment will fall further yet and the financial sector still requires some structural reform. World trade has grown but most of this is due to emerging markets and the recovery in Asia. Import prices have risen slightly in the world's major economies primarily due to the oil price increase. Despite this
inflationary pressures are not substantial.