Several organisations , including the International Monetary Fund , have warned of a possible global economic downturn in the next 18 months , followed by a sharp rise in oil prices . Analysts have said the global expansion is showing increasing signs of maturity , with crude prices falling by 30 % over the past year and spare capacity shrinking to its lowest in decades . But the global economy and the oil market appear to be on an unsustainable trajectory, and the only way to resolve the growing contradictions is likely to be a slowdown in the next 18 months. However , the downturn may not be as severe as the recession that followed the 2007 - 2009 crisis , with some suggesting it may be a mere " pause " in growth .
Several organisations , including the International Monetary Fund , have warned of a possible global economic downturn in the next 18 months , followed by a sharp rise in oil prices . Analysts have said the global expansion is showing increasing signs of maturity , with crude prices falling by 30 % over the past year and spare capacity shrinking to its lowest in decades . However , the downturn may not be as severe as the recession that followed the 2007 - 2009 crisis , with some suggesting it may be a mere " pause " in growth .