In these circumstances, looking at the outlook for the global economy as a whole, the real GDP growth rate is expected to accelerate moderately from 3.2 percent in 2012 to 3.5 percent in 2013 and 4.1 percent in 2014, according to the latest World Economic Outlook released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in January 2013.
If the global economy – led by emerging economies – registers growth rates as projected, the rates will be above the historical long-term average. II. Current situation of Japan’s economy and its prospects, with the key factor of a pick-up in overseas economies  A.