Weak growth for Brazil in 2012 - Brazil should return to its place of 6th world economy in 2013, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Having overtaken the United Kingdom in 2011, Brazil slipped back a place in 2012. Brazil goes back up in the IMF's provisional forecast of world economic powers for 2013, despite 2012 growth in GDP below forecasts - in other words 0.9% (experts forecast 1.2%). This change in position can be explained by the still weaker growth in GDP in the UK the same year (+0.3%). The top four places in the rankings remain unchanged - the USA in top position, followed by China, Japan and Germany (the top European economy). With growth of 0.9% in 2012, Brazil was at the bottom of the BRICS group of emerging countries and in 22nd place on a list of 34 countries listed by the international agency Austin Rating. Brazil is ranked behind Mexico, Peru and Colombia - which have done much better. (IL/transl.fl)