OECD countries enter period of sustained slowdown . - GDP growth is expected to decline next year by 0.9% in the US, 0.5% in the eurozone and 0.1% in Japan. According to the most recent statistics of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, published on 13 November, OECD countries are entering a protracted period of slowdown. GDP for all OECD countries is expected to contract in 2009 by 0.3% in annual terms before slightly recovering in 2010 with a growth rate of 1.5%. The average unemployment rate in the OECD area will stand at an estimated 5.9% this year and is expected to reach 6.9% next year and 7.2% in 2010. Advanced countries will be in or close to recession in the second quarter of 2008 and at the beginning of 2009. The OECD explains that the recovery expected later in 2009 will be exceptionally gradual compared to in the past. In emerging and developing countries, inflation is due to decline more progressively while recent hikes in rates for basic products will continue to hit consumers. (I.L./transl.rh)