The super-cycle remains largely intact, despite the recent slowdown in many emerging markets
The super-cycle remains largely intact, despite the recent slowdown in many emerging markets. World growth is likely to average 3.5 per cent for the 2000-30 period, well above the 3.0 per cent rate in the prior 20 years, helped by an expected pick-up in global expansion over the rest of this decade, stated The super-cycle report by Standard Chartered Bank in .What drives this optimism? The short answer is the continued rise of the emerging markets, which is shifting the balance of economic power from West to East.
In 1990, emerging markets accounted for only 20 per cent of the global economy; today they account for 38 per cent and they are set to exceed 50 per cent of the world economy by the end of this decade.
Global growth to receive renewed momentum
Despite their recent slowdown, we believe likely economic reforms in China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Brazil will provide renewed momentum to global growth.
China's new leadership is leading the way on reforms. This could enable its economy to deliver around 6 per cent average growth between now and 2030. India could grow at 6-7 per cent over the same period with the help of new reforms once the 2014 elections are out of the way.
Meanwhile, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America could grow between 4-6 per cent until 2030, transformed by a growing population, an expanding middle class and rapid urbanisation. Indeed, Africa has surprised everyone with a sharp acceleration in growth rates in recent years on the back of a growing domestic consumer base, improving governance and large energy and infrastructure investments.
Overall, 70 per cent of global growth between now and 2030 is likely to come from emerging economies
Population growth is a major driver of the super-cycle, with most of the 1.1 billion increase in the global population expected by 2030 coming from emerging markets, led by Africa and South Asia. This will counter the effect of an ageing population in China and the developed world.
Overall, 70 per cent of global growth between now and 2030 is likely to come from emerging economies, taking their share to more than three-fifths of world GDP by 2030, from two-fifths today. Asia (excluding Japan) alone is likely to account for two-fifths of global GDP by then.
Global trade could quadruple
Trade will be another major engine of world growth as the global production chain continues to expand and deepen. Our forecasts show global trade could quadruple to USD 75 trillion by 2030, supported by new regional and bilateral trade agreements and the effects of globalisation and the Internet, which are encouraging the trade in services as well as goods.
South-south trade (or trade between emerging economies) is likely to account for 40 per cent of world trade in 2030, up from 18 per cent today.
Our forecasts are not without risks. The biggest concern is that China could slow down very sharply. But the history of middle-income traps suggests that China is in a good position. It has a relatively better-educated population, a higher share of hi-tech exports and an appreciating real exchange rate, compared with countries falling into the trap in the past.
China could become the largest economy by 2022
Clearly, reforms are needed to overcome structural challenges, such as over-investment in some industries; high leverage in banks, state-owned enterprises and the government; and a frothy real-estate sector.
If it overcomes these, China could become the world's largest economy by 2022 (against our previous forecast of 2020), surpassing the US economy. Yet, its per-capita income would still be less than one-third that of the US, offering significant catch-up potential.
Ultimately, the sustainability of the super-cycle will depend on whether the emerging markets can restart stalled reforms
Many other large emerging markets, including India, Vietnam and Nigeria, are still well below the level at which the middle-income trap looms and have plenty of room to grow further.
The steep rise in Asian debt in the last few years is a concern often raised by those sceptical of the super-cycle, but our research shows government and foreign borrowing is still benign, reducing the risk of a crisis, while household debt in China, India and Indonesia remains low. This offers the scope for further increase in leverage, supporting growth.
Faster US growth would benefit emerging markets
Rising US interest rates is another risk factor hanging over emerging markets. But it is often forgotten that higher rates would only come with faster US economic growth. Faster US growth, in turn, would benefit, not hurt, many emerging markets through stronger exports and firmer commodity prices. Moreover, the Fed is likely to be more careful in managing rate expectations in future and low US inflation should enable it to raise rates very gradually.
Ultimately, the sustainability of the super-cycle will depend on whether the emerging markets can restart stalled reforms. Will politics allow the necessary reform, or block it?
Many countries enjoyed rapid economic growth over the past decade and it was easy to avoid tough decisions. Now, with slowing growth and increasingly demanding citizens, governments are under huge pressure to respond. All eyes are on Beijing, New Delhi, Jakarta, Brasilia and Abuja, to see whether the governments can deliver.
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