Growth in the GDP of the G20 countries is slowing, according to the latest figures. The 2011 fourth quarter results for the world's 20 leading economies showed average growth of 0.7 percent, representing a slow down from the 0.9 percent recorded in Q3. Full year growth for 2011 was 2.8 percent, down significantly on the 5 percent growth recorded in 2010.

Within the G20 nations big differences were seen. The overall figure is to some extent misleading as trends in individual countries differed greatly from the average. Quarter on quarter results for some nations showed continuing buoyant growth in 2011 Q4, while others posted results far worse than the G20 average. Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa and the USA all showed positive growth and an accelerating trend in Q4, compared to Q3 of 2011.

Mexico, South Korea, France, Canada, Australia and, significantly, China recorded positive GDP growth in Q4, but at a reduced rate from the previous quarter. The EU and the eurozone both posted negative growth of -0.3 percent, the first negative results since 2009. The UK, Japan, Italy and Germany's economies were down in the last quarter of 2011, and a worst rate of growth than in Q3 in all cases. Individual results were unavailable for the remaining G20 states. Full results here.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com