Current Trends in the World Economy

The paper presents the dynamics of the world economy that emerged by the autumn of 2015. The review is based on the following data for the world leading countries: GDP, industrial production, exports and imports, money market indicators, stock indices, exchange rate, retail turnover and oil prices. The study shows that the global market situation remains heterogeneous across countries and continents, and it is still in a depression; there is a new equilibrium which is characterized by slipping down long-term trends (concerning the level of 2008-2009). The main emphasis is on the economies of the Great Middle East - Arab countries, Iran and Turkey. The authors note that the region is characterized by great unevenness of economic development depending on three key parameters: availability of oil production; population and its growth rate; and sustainability of socio-political situation. There are two groups of regional countries: ones with a stable socio-political situation and countries affected by conflicts. The study reflects dynamics of the main socio-economic parameters and indices of democracy, corruption and freedom of speech for both groups. The authors conclude that the series of revolutions, wars and conflicts did not lead to the improvement of living and development acceleratio