December 2015: What if Questions for the PR Economy
Great expectations amidst irreconcilable conflicts
As 2015 nears its end and a new year is about to start, it is time for reflection. The fundamental structure of the PR economy is changing. While the contribution of services to output is on the rise, investment and productivity remain flat or even declining, wealth is not accumulating, and growth and inflation continue declining. Meanwhile, globalization has increased co-dependence in the global economy: a rising number of countries can influence the world’s economic performance and its financial stability. With no investment nor prevention of outward migration, the PR economy is in the middle of a “lost decade”. Puerto Rico struggles with slow to negative growth, a sizeable external debt, capital outflows and lack of badly needed investment. Unfavorable demographics, inflexible labor markets, and a rising outward migration pose the biggest threats to our economy. The shortcut to recovery requires orderly debt restructuring and investments faster than expected. The PR economy is weak with a continued trade-off between sustained growth and debt deflation spiral. What will it take for PR to regain economic growth? What if…?