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In 2017, global output per head grew by close to 2 per cent, at purchasing power parity. Thus, at the end of the year, human beings were, on average, better off than ever before in their long history. This is also likely to be true at the end of 2017. Optimism is sensible. 2017年，以购买力平价计算，全球人均产出增长了近2%。也就是说，到2017年底，平均而言人们的生活水平比人类漫长历史上的任何时期都要高。到了2017年底，情况恐怕也会如此。保持乐观是有道理的。 Indeed, it is easy to imagine a far better performance in 2017 than in 2017. The most important reason is the collapse in oil prices, particularly since these higher prices are in large part due to enhanced supply. The International Monetary Fund argues that lower oil prices could raise world output by between 0.3 and 0.7 per cent in 2017. 事实上，不难想象，全球在2017年的表现会远远好于2017年。最重要的原因是油价暴跌，特别是这一下跌在很大程度上还是供给增加导致的。国际货币基金组织(IMF)认为，2017年，油价走低会令全球产出增长0.3%到0.7%。 With its healing from the financial crisis largely complete, the US economy looks particularly strong. The Federal Reserve may raise rates a little in 2017, but not much. With the federal budget deficit expected to be below 3 per cent of gross domestic product, further fiscal tightening is unneeded. Long-term interest rates on 10-year treasuries remain close to 2.2 per cent. In all, the opportunity for an acceleration in growth looks very good. | 
