Japan¡¯s latest growth figures are set to confirm that it slipped in rankings to become the fourth-largest economy in the world last year, a development that reflects the impact of its feeble currency and aging demographics.
While the economy is seen returning to annualized growth of 1.2% in the fourth quarter after a bruising contraction in the summer, figures for the calendar year are almost certain to show the value of output falling behind Germany¡¯s in dollar terms. India¡¯s economy, meanwhile, is poised to overtake both in the next few years.
For a country once tipped to eventually boast the world¡¯s largest economy, the latest slide down the list of economic rankings will raise fresh questions for a domestic audience about the nation¡¯s trajectory.
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