IMF lowers global growth estimates

The International Monetary Fund has cut its global growth estimates for this year and next by 0.1 of a percentage point, on continued concerns over the eurozone.

This year's growth estimate has been lowered to 3.5 percent from the 3.6 percent published in Oct, while 2014's prediction is cut to 4.1 percent from 4.2 percent, the Washington-based lender said in its latest World Economic Outlook published on Wednesday.

China's annual growth prospects remained unchanged at 8.2 and 8.5 percent, respectively.

Growth in the United States is likely to reach 2 percent this year, but the eurozone economies may fall into a 0.2 percent contraction, said the report.

Global growth will strengthen gradually in 2013, said the IMF, as the constraints on economic activity start to ease this year. But the recovery remains slow, and the report stressed that policies must address downside risks.