We would kill for 4.4 % growth.....

BBC NEWS | Business | World Bank predicts global gloom

World Bank predicts global gloom
peasants in Vietnam
Emerging economies will grow more slowly in 2009

The World Bank has forecast a significant decline in global economic growth in 2009 for both developed and emerging countries.

In a report assessing economic prospects, the Bank has predicted that the world's annual economic growth will slow to 0.9%, from 2.5% this year.

The rate of growth for emerging economies is expected to be around 4.5%, down from 7.9% in 2007.

The Bank said a deep global recession could not be ruled out.

And its forecast suggests that, on a per capita basis, world growth would be negative in 2009.