Modern growth in perspective: relative performance since the global financial crisis

By Alexander Plekhanov and Morten Stostad

This paper evaluates the growth performance of more than 200 economies. It identifies instances of relatively strong economic performance after the 2008-09 global financial crisis, and asks if determinants of sustained strong (and weak) performance have changed in recent years. It finds that investment matters more for growth post-crisis; that the negative impact of debt-based financial development predates the crisis; and that economic openness and democracy now play a greater role in ensuring “average” growth outcomes.