A new year is here, but some of the same old fears continue to haunt us.
Recently, Natixis Investment Managers surveyed more than 440 investment professionals across 28 countries and asked them to name the biggest economic threats the world faces in 2024.
Some of their fears are new, but several also appeared in last year’s Natixis survey.
Here are the top economic threats for 2024 that financial pros identified.
5. Declining consumer spending
Investment professionals who cite this as a top economic threat: 34%
As prices continue to climb and the cost of financing rises, more financial experts are concerned that consumers might start to buckle under the weight of such trends. In fact, nearly 6 in 10 experts — 59% — predict that unemployment will rise this year.
If rising prices have you worried, check out “10 Sure-Fire Ways to Beat Inflation.”
4. Energy prices
Investment professionals who cite this as a top economic threat: 35%
Separate conflicts are raging right now — involving Russia on one hand and countries in the Middle East on the other — in regions that are key producers of oil.
That has left experts a little more worried that the price of gas and utility costs might soon be on the rise.
3. Central bank policy error
Investment professionals who cite this as a top economic threat: 36%
The Federal Reserve — the central bank of the U.S. — has engaged in a steady series of rate hikes intended to curb inflation.
Inflation has indeed steadily cooled during that time, but not enough to satisfy the Fed. Some worry that the Fed will leave rates too high for too long, increasing the chances of a recession in the U.S.
Others worry the Fed will cut rates too quickly, reigniting a trend of rising prices.
2. War/terrorism
Investment professionals who cite this as a top economic threat: 50%
The world’s two major conflicts — between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas — have financial experts on edge.
Fears likely center around how tensions related to these events could impact the rest of the world, including the global economy.
1. Recession
Investment professionals who cite this as a top economic threat: 52%
For a couple of years now, America has lived with the threat of a recession that never has arrived. But experts are worried that our luck might run out in 2024.
Despite such fears, 62% of the financial pros still view some type of economic “soft landing” as possible.
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