In Many Countries, G.D.P. Growth May Continue to Slow

Throughout the major industrial countries, long-term growth rates have been falling, and they may keep doing so. The latest forecasts by the International Monetary Fund point to slow growth over the next two years in most major countries, and to a shrinking economy in Italy. If the I.M.F. forecasts prove to be accurate, Italy’s economy will be smaller at the end of 2013 than it was 10 years earlier. The charts show 10-year cumulative annual growth rates for gross domestic product in seven countries. The nominal figures show growth before inflation is considered; the real numbers show the rates after adjusting for inflation. G.D.P. growth is typically presented in real terms.