|
Country |
GDP growth |
Inflation |
Unemployment |
Stock market decline |
Gallon of gas | Interest Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 5.23% | 5.74% | 7.70% | -44.16% | $5.83 | 13.75% |
| China | 9.74% | 6.43% | 4%* | -64.92% | $3.48 | 6.66% |
| Germany | 1.85% | 2.94% | 7.43% | -41.12% | $8.58 | 3.25% |
| Iceland | 0.30% | 12.12% | 2.20% | -45.81% | $7.54 | 18.00% |
| India | 7.93% | 7.93% | 7.80% | -51.48% | $4.95 | 7.50% |
| Japan | 0.69% | 1.57% | 4.05% | -42.45% | $5.78 | 0.30% |
| Russia | 7.00% | 14.03% | 5.90% | -65.53% | $3.93 | 11.00% |
| Saudi Arabia | 5.85% | 11.45% | 13%† | -50.50% | $0.45 | 4.00% |
| South Africa | 3.83% | 11.78% | 23.20% | -30.64% | $4.64 | 12.00% |
| United Kingdom | 0.99% | 3.78% | 5.40% | -34.20% | $8.09 | 3.00% |
| United States | 1.57% | 4.22% | 5.62% | -33.10% | $3.80 | 1.00% |
Sinking crude prices are a tremendous blow to this oil-driven economy. The stock market is also suffering huge losses, dragged down by the country's oil giant Petrobras. Meanwhile,
The country's GDP sinks to a 5-year low as manufacturing exports slow amid weak global demand. And mass layoffs at factories are worse than the official 4% unemployment rate suggests, since
The German economy, which is
Consumer demand for gold, which typically soars during the Diwali wedding festival, sinks by roughly 20%, signaling trouble. The country's foreign debt expanded to 3.6% of its GDP in 2008, and in October the central bank lends $37.4 billion to financial institutions in October in an effort to boost credit.
The sock market hits a 26-year low in October, and the government cuts interest rates for first time in more than seven years. It also unveils a $275 billion stimulus package, including loans for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as tax rebate checks to households.
Sinking natural gas and oil prices shrink exports, and investor jitters over
OPEC production cuts in October hit this country the hardest -- it signals that it can't afford to cut back any more. Falling oil prices are hampering the economy and holding up much-needed public construction projects. Meanwhile, the cost of living here is soaring on escalating food and housing costs.
Metals exports such as gold and platinum are hurt by falling precious metals prices, and soaring food and electricity prices are driving a steep increase in inflation. Unemployment had hit a seven-year low in March, but is rising as the economy slows.
Both the Prime Minister and the Treasury chief say the British economy is likely in a recession. The pound is at a 6-year low against the dollar, and retail sales are down for first time in nearly 4 years. A $63 billion bailout for the banking sector offers some relief.
Home prices plummet by as much as 40% in some parts of the country, and nearly one million homes have been lost to foreclosure since the mortgage crisis began in August 2007. The government is flooding the frozen financial system with nearly $3 trillion to restore liquidity, and, despite a $168 billion stimulus package that was unveiled last spring, political support for a second stimulus package is gaining momentum.
