National output as measured by GDP grew at an annual rate of 3% in the second quarter compared with 3.2% in the first quarter, official data showed.

 

But, economic health varied¹ with China's output growing 7.6% and Italy's shrinking 2.6% due to recession.

 

Taking global population growth into account, G20 output is effectively stagnating²（停滞）.

 

The G20 data was compiled by the Organisation³ of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

 

Officials from the world's 19 leading economies and the European Union are meeting in Mexico City for talks.

 

They are under particular pressure to act to moderate the impact of high food prices on households whose incomes are stagnating and shrinking due to the economic slowdown.

 

Drought has reduced harvests in North America whilst Russian grain exports have also fallen, pushing up global prices.

点击收听单词发音