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The article focuses on the U.S. economic conditions in 2011 in the aftermath of a global economic recession. Topics include the shrinking middle class in the U.S., the debt crises in Europe, and attempts by the U.S. Federal Reserve to create a monetary stimulus in 2011. Information is provided on how globalization has contributed to the economic recessions of both developed countries and emerging markets. The results of a reader poll are presented on issues such as economic conditions, personal finances, and cost cutting measures.

The article discusses lower birth rates in developed nations, including much of Western Europe, Australia, and the U.S. Topics include the impact of the global financial crisis on fertility rates, falling home-ownership in relation to birth rates, and the impact of negative public opinion on birth rates. Psychological aspects of falling birth rates are addressed.

The article presents data on economic conditions in developed countries as of July 9, 2005. Oil, credit and the dollar all became more expensive. The dollar strengthened against the euro and the yen: on July 1st the euro bought less than $1.20 for the first time since May 2004. The price of oil set a new record: a barrel of West Texas Intermediate, a benchmark crude, fetched more than $61 during trading on July 6th. In America, surveys of economic activity found much to cheer. The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index rose unexpectedly to 53.8 in June, from 51.4 in May. Its non-manufacturing index leapt from 58.5 to 62.2. Japan's Tankan survey revealed a marked improvement in the mood of large firms in the second quarter. The core consumer-price index (excluding food prices) remained unchanged in the year to May. In the euro area, retail trade grew by 2.0% in the year to May. But GDP in the Netherlands shrank by 0.8% in the first quarter, not by 0.1% as originally estimated. Britain's industrial output fell by 1.9% in the year to May.

The article presents data on economic conditions in developed countries as of June 11, 2005. After last week's retreat, the euro recovered a little, rising above $1.23 on June 8th. Bonds continue to boom. During trading this week, yields on the ten-year German government bond fell to a record low of 3.12%. Hiring in America was much weaker than expected. Non-farm businesses added just 78,000 workers to their payrolls in May, having added 274,000 the month before. Unit labour costs also increased faster than previously thought, rising by 3.3% in the first quarter compared with previous estimates of 2.2%. The unemployment rate fell to 5.1%. In the euro area, the volume of retail sales shrank by 0.9% in the year to April, after growing by 1.4% in the year to March. But the NTC survey of purchasing managers in services was more encouraging. It suggested that the services sector was in its best shape since October. In the Netherlands, industrial production contracted by 0.7% in the year to April. In Germany, it expanded by 1.8%, largely due to a rebound in construction, which grew by 18.6% over the month of April. In Britain, seasonally-adjusted house prices fell by 0.6% in May, according to Halifax, a mortgage lender. The year-on-year rate of house-price inflation is now 5.7%, compared with a peak of 22.1% in the year to July 2004. Statistics on 15 developed economies, plus closer looks at economic forecasts, and derivatives.

This section presents economic and financial news and statistics for the leading developed countries. Worries about petrol prices, instability in Iraq and the prospect of higher interest rates may be taking their toll on the mood of American consumers. Despite recent improvements in economic growth and employment, consumer confidence was little changed in May, according to the Conference Board. Sales of existing American homes rose by 2.5% to near-record highs in April. Euro-area economic growth continues to be sluggish. According to EuroCOIN, a monthly economic indicator published by Britain's Centre for Economic Policy Research, the euro area's economy saw hardly any change in April from its weak growth rate in March. Higher oil prices caused German consumer-price inflation to rise in the year to May to 2.1%, its highest rate in over two years. France's economy, by contrast, is showing signs of optimism: consumer spending rose by 1.5% in April. The OECD says that there is much that the Netherlands can do to make its economy more efficient.