Atlanta
(2012-02-22)
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ATLANTA, GA
(WABE) -
On paper, the economy is starting to look good.
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Car sales have increased. Employment numbers are improving. The Gross Domestic Product inched up in the last quarter.
But Georgia State University economist Rajeev Dhawan says some of those gains are likely to slow in the next year.
Dhawan says that's because 60% of economies around the world are either slowing or already have fallen into a recession.
So the world's problems will hold back growth in the US, especially when it comes to jobs.
"My forecast is about 180,000 or so [jobs] in the next couple of years per month," Dhawan says.
180,000 new jobs isn't bad, but Dhawan says we need a half-million jobs added each month for a full year to break out of this slump.
Meanwhile, Georgia's economic picture is what Dhawan calls "bifurcated." That means most sectors are growing. But the few that aren't -- like healthcare and construction -- are bringing down the state's overall recovery.
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