Ireland has been the OECD’s fastest growing economy for several years, driven by strong consumer demand, fixed investment and a buoyant global demand in areas like IT, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

Healthy gains in private consumption have helped to keep GDP growth above trend so far this year. However, the correction in residential construction is likely to accelerate over the near term, and housing wealth could decline which, together with weaker labour market conditions, could lead to lower consumption growth over time. Real GDP growth should therefore slow to a pace below potential in 2008 and then recover in 2009, although there are considerable downside risks. Headline inflation has recently moved up, but core inflation seems to have stabilised near 2% and, assuming that energy prices level out, inflationary pressures should remain fairly moderate over the projection period.

The economic expansion–the longest in Japan’s post-war history–continues despite some deceleration in the pace of growth since early 2007. A further tightening of the labour market is projected to reverse the decline in wages, helping to sustain output growth of some 1.5-2% in 2008-09 and pushing inflation into positive territory.

The expansion has continued but at a slower pace than in 2006. Higher interest rates, a stronger euro and tighter credit conditions are all damping activity. But the outlook remains relatively good, with growth projected to return to its potential rate following some slight near-term weakening. Rising employment and a moderate upturn in wage growth will underpin household incomes and consumption. Inflation has veered up due to a sharp rise in energy and food prices, but is expected to decelerate to below 2%.

After slowing in the second quarter, growth has picked up in the third quarter on the back of strong domestic demand. The output gap is likely to be almost closed. Growth is projected to advance at near trend rates during 2008 and 2009. Following some near-term headwinds, unemployment may continue to edge down but at a much slower pace than in the recent past. The slower projected expansion largely reflects a diminishing contribution from net exports that is not fully compensated by stronger private consumption.

After slowing in 2007, growth is projected to average below 2% in 2008, with a weak first half but some rebound thereafter, and continuing at near potential rates in 2009. Job creation will continue, albeit at a slower pace, allowing for further slight declines in the unemployment rate. Following several years of budgetary consolidation, no further improvement in the budget deficit is expected, with a reduction in both revenues and spending in relation to GDP.

GDP slowed in the first half of 2007, as export growth weakened, rebounded in the third quarter but may weaken again in the fourth. Growth over the course of 2008-09 is projected at near its potential rate of just under 1.5%. Unemployment, which continued to fall through the first half of 2007, should decline further, but at a slower rate. The recent pickup in price inflation may persist into 2008 and 2009.

GDP grew at an above-trend pace of close to 3% through the first three quarters of 2007. However, growth is expected to be weaker in coming quarters, as both investment and consumer demand are likely to be damped by much weaker activity in the housing market, together with tighter credit conditions. Consumer price inflation has dropped sharply and is expected to remain close to the 2% target over the next two years.

The economy has been operating above its estimated production potential, but is expected to decelerate noticeably in the short term as lower external demand and the marked currency appreciation damp activity. Yet growth is likely to rebound quite rapidly once the effects of these international factors disappear. A slowing in commodityprice increases, the federal goods and services tax cut and the stronger Canadian dollar should contribute to a temporary decline in inflation.

Output growth, which could reach 4.25% in 2007, is expected to slow gradually to 3.5% in 2008 and 3% in 2009, a pace close to the potential growth rate. This slowdown, which will be accompanied by a further tightening of monetary policy to keep inflation in line with the Reserve Bank’s inflation target, should ease strains in the labour market.

A slowdown in net exports and investment is expected to result in GDP growth decelerating from almost 3.5% in 2007 to about 2.5% in 2008 and 2009. Headline inflation is projected to temporarily move above 2% in the short term on account of rising oil and food prices.

Real GDP growth has moderated from its recent robust pace and is likely to slow further towards the country’s potential rate in the short term, though leaving the output gap positive. Domestic demand continues to underpin expansion, boosted by higher employment and real incomes. Inflation is projected to increase somewhat in response to rising cost pressures.

A policy-driven spike in inflation in the first half of 2008 is going to temporarily dent otherwise healthy economic conditions, and real GDP growth will dip below potential as the increases in indirect taxation and administered prices squeeze consumption. Underlying inflation is low, but is creeping up and further tightening of monetary conditions is expected.

GDP growth has slowed, but the positive output gap remains large, with labour and capacity shortages evident. The inflow of workers from abroad has allowed employment to rise strongly. Nevertheless, wage growth is now gaining momentum, and loss of competitiveness is expected to weigh down on growth in the coming years.

Output grew by 5% in 2006, and strong growth has continued into 2007, underpinned by a robust export performance and sustained strength in consumption. While healthy employment growth is projected to continue, leading to a further decline in unemployment, output growth is expected to moderate.

Activity has been strong so far in 2007, despite the impact of forest fires and a slowing of housing investment towards a more sustainable level. Growth is set to weaken in 2008, before edging up to around 4% in 2009. Inflation is likely to rise in light of demand pressures and the current account deficit is expected to remain large.

Growth decelerated markedly during 2007, reflecting fiscal consolidation. It is likely to recover over the projection period, supported by buoyant exports and gradually reaccelerating investment and consumption. Inflation is projected to decelerate towards the 3% target, as wage growth remains moderate. The external deficit should continue to improve.

Expansionary government measures have rekindled demand and inflation pressures at a time when imbalances in the economy remain substantial. Still, tight monetary policy is expected to eventually succeed in slowing the economy, taming inflation and reducing imbalances. However, the slow and uneven adjustment process leaves the economy vulnerable to changes in foreign investor sentiment, especially in a context of fragile global financial market conditions, and has increased the risk of a harder landing of the economy.

Activity was strong in the first half of 2007, but the slump in house building will slow growth substantially. GNP is expected to increase by 3% in real terms in 2008, which is considerably below the growth rate of potential output, but to recover to grow at 4.5% in 2009 as housing construction levels out at a sustainable level. Inflationary pressures will ease, but unemployment is likely to increase.

An acceleration of domestic demand, combined with continued buoyant exports, is projected to keep economic growth at around 5% in 2008-09. Strong demand from other Asian countries is sustaining export growth at double-digit rates, despite the appreciation of the won, which has helped to keep inflation below the Bank of Korea’s target zone.

Growth was well above that in other European economies in 2007. Largely unaffected by the turmoil on international markets due to its strong position in the mutual funds sector, financial services continued to be the main driver of economic growth. Strong private investment and manufacturing exports also contributed to the expansion. The improved employment prospects spread from cross-border workers to residents, enabling a gradual reduction in the unemployment rate. Despite a loss in price competitiveness, the recovery is set to weaken only moderately and growth is likely to remain above potential growth through to 2009.

After a moderate slowdown in 2007, reflecting a weakening of external demand, GDP growth is expected to accelerate in the course of 2008 and reach 4.25% in 2009. The approval of the fiscal reform should boost business confidence, underpinning stronger domestic and foreign investment.

The economic expansion remained strong in 2007 and is expected to reach 3% for the second year in a row. Over the projection period above-potential growth is projected to continue, reflecting both robust domestic demand and dynamic export markets. However, labour shortages are likely to persist, partly reflecting population ageing, which will increasingly hamper the expansion of the economy. Indeed, inflation pressures are expected to increase gradually.

Activity so far in 2007 has picked up markedly in a context of unprecedented high prices for New Zealand’s major commodity exports, maintaining pressure on resources and inflation. Monetary conditions have been tightened, while domestic risk spreads have widened in conjunction with the international financial market turbulence. These factors should cause growth to slow over the near term, allowing a moderation of inflation and eventual monetary easing.

After a long period of robust growth, which continued unabated in the first half of 2007, there are signs that mainland Norway (i.e. non-offshore sector) is reaching the peak of the cycle with a large positive output gap. Tightening monetary conditions are beginning to exert a cooling effect and further expansion is made difficult by very high capacity utilisation. Some of the forces that kept price increases down are diminishing and inflation is now picking up slightly.

The first half of 2007 saw an acceleration of economic activity, driven by booming domestic demand. Growing labour shortages have fuelled strong wage increases. The pick-up in unit labour costs and record-high capacity utilisation rates have darkened the inflation outlook. Persistent strength in domestic demand should support growth, but the current account deterioration is projected to continue.

The expansion has become more broadly based in 2007. Following a period of buoyant export growth, investment is picking up. Growth is expected to strengthen further in 2008 and 2009, largely driven by domestic demand. The still large negative output gap should drive inflation down in 2009. Though gradually declining, unemployment remains high and, as a result, wage increases are set to be moderate.

Economic growth is projected to ease to 7% by 2009 as the rate at which new export-oriented manufacturing capacity coming on stream declines. Unemployment is projected to fall to about 9.5% in 2009. Further disinflation will be slowed by higher food prices, increases in indirect taxes and the assumed euro changeover in 2009.

Economic growth is likely to slow in 2008 and 2009, as residential construction falls. Private consumption may decelerate, reflecting lower employment gains and tighter credit conditions. From a peak in late 2007, inflation should decline as demand pressures moderate.

After posting very strong growth in 2006, the Swedish economy cooled during 2007, due mainly to weaker export growth. Domestic demand is expected to continue to grow markedly in the near term as strong employment growth and income gains should boost private consumption.

Economic growth is expected to slow to about 2% in 2008 and 2009, close to the potential rate, with a diminished contribution from net exports. Employment should continue rising, although unemployment may not fall much further. Inflation is projected to rise modestly, reflecting past oil price rises and a high level of capacity utilisation. The government budget surplus will decline.

The economy, which had slowed down earlier in the year as a result of monetary tightening in 2006 and political uncertainties in the spring, gained momentum after the summer elections. In the absence of shocks, growth should settle at around 6% in 2008 and 2009.

GDP growth picked up in the first half of 2007. Private consumption continues to support activity on the heels of strong credit increases and rising incomes. The expansion of investment has been particularly sharp. Export performance remains robust. But a vigorous pickup in imports, especially of capital goods and intermediate inputs, is beginning to weigh on the trade surplus. Inflation remains well below the central target, despite an uptick in mid-year on the back of food price hikes.

After moderating in the second half of 2006, economic growth has accelerated again and is expected to reach almost 11.5% in 2007, leading to a widening of the output gap. The inflation rate is projected to increase to around 4.5% in 2007 and stabilise thereafter as weaker food prices are estimated to offset accelerating non-agricultural prices. Despite continued strong export growth, output is likely to slow in 2008 and 2009 as imports accelerate. Nonetheless, the current account surplus is projected to rise from around $350 billion in 2007 to over $500 billion in 2009, passing from 11.25 to 11.75% of GDP.

The economy grew rapidly in the fiscal year (FY) 2006, expanding by 9.4%. Strong growth was fuelled by a good performance of the agricultural sector and continued strength of industrial output. In the first half of FY 2007, investment remained buoyant, leading to improvements in the supply potential of the economy. With higher  interest and exchange rates, output growth is projected to gradually slow to 8.4% by 2009. The current account deficit is likely to widen from 1.1% of GDP in FY 2006 to 2% by 2009. Inflation, as measured by the GDP deflator, is expected to ease back somewhat over the projection  horizon as increases in food prices moderate.

Real GDP growth is set to accelerate in 2007, before moderating over the projection period as oil and metal prices stabilise at their current high levels. Domestic demand will remain strong, but the exceptional rates of investment growth observed in the first half will not be sustained. Fuelled by relaxed monetary conditions and the tightening of the labour market, inflation is set to hit double digits at the end of the year and will, in any case, exceed the central bank target of 8% by a wide margin.