NEW YORK (AP) — Most business economists think the U.S. economy could avoid a recession next year, even if the job market ends up weakening under the weight of high interest rates, according to a survey released Monday.

Only 24% of economists surveyed by the National Association for Business Economics said they see a recession in 2024 as more likely than not. The 38 surveyed economists come from such organizations as Morgan Stanley, the University of Arkansas and Nationwide.

Such predictions imply the belief that the Federal Reserve can pull off the delicate balancing act of slowing the economy just enough through high interest rates to get inflation under control, without snuffing out its growth completely.

High rates work to slow inflation by making borrowing more expensive and hurting prices for stocks and other investments. The combination typically slows spending and starves inflation of its fuel. So far, the job market has remained remarkably solid despite high interest rates, and the unemployment rate sat at a low 3.9% in October.

  • eek2121@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I am unemployed and have been for many months. I have never had issues finding a job, but finding one lately has been impossible. I know of 3 others in the same boat as I. I think that a recession is inevitable at this point. Lucky for me, I have other sources of income. I did have to drastically cut back spending, however.

    • spyd3r@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      There is definitely something going on lately. I’m always looking for better jobs on indeed, professional recruiting services etc, trying to improve my situation.

      In the last 4 months its been seemingly impossible to even get a response, and I know I’m more than qualified for these positions I’m applying to, and I’ve never had an issue before, even during severe economic downturns.

    • lledrtx@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      This is a nightmare scenario for me. What are the other sources of income, if you don’t mind me asking?

      • eek2121@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Website advertising and subscription revenue for websites I have owned for years. Spouse income as well.

  • agitatedpotato@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Here’s my gripe with economists. Even if this wasn’t true, wouldn’t be in the best interest of the economy to lie about it so the market doesn’t get spooked and end up doing things that would make inflation worse?

    What other ‘science’ has that nifty feature in it?

    • ryathal@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      You can make money on the economy going up or down, so there’s generally economists predicting both. There’s also a lot of economists that love to be the one to predict a recession, so they pretty much always predict one.

    • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Regular medical science, it is called the placebo effect. It only works a bit. Not like you are going to regrow a limb, more like if you had a 40% of getting better on your own you now have a 50%.

      Truth is economists can’t predict shit and recessions happen based on numbers not based on feelings. We can’t click our heels together and wish our way to a better world.

    • willis936@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      A lot of the “scientists” that get laughed out of their field but get their Netflix “documentary” deal seem to use this neat trick.

      They’re particularly good at starting with a conclusion then shoehorning in a bad analysis with uncompelling evidence.

  • Wilzax@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Economists predict that now that the rich and ruling class have had a chance to get even rocher even faster, the rest of us will be allowed to catch our breaths just long enough to avoid sweeping reforms and revolutions the next time they pull this bullshit!

  • ryathal@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    Wow we went through nearly 3 years of recession start tomorrow and now it’s not even going to happen. Even weather reporters are better.