A World of Trouble: Is the nightmare over?

With signs of economic recovery finally emerging, here's where things stand in 20 countries around the world.

By Thomas Mucha
Published: September 10, 2009 05:57 ET
Updated: October 14, 2009 13:35 ET

BOSTON — In February, at the bleakest moment of the global economic meltdown, we asked 20 GlobalPost correspondents in 20 countries to assess the widening damage — from official government data to anecdotal evidence of how the drama was unfolding in the streets, hutongs, factories and fields across the planet.

They uncovered a world of trouble.

Then in April, after governments worldwide began stimulating battered economies with new spending and other rescue measures, we revisited those same 20 countries for an update. It was still ugly out there.

Now, with the first shoots of recovery popping up around the world we thought it was a good time to ask the question: is the nightmare over?

So we did. Twenty times over.

As you can see in the interactive map below, the answer is yes. But not everywhere (we're talking to you Mexico, Russia and South Africa).

And because the world is an endlessly fascinating place — even in the darkest of times — you'll also learn Argentines are having less sex, the size of Japanese TV screens matters, and why Thais have turned to furry panda masks.

(Editor's note: The data in these reports comes from official government sources and the International Monetary Fund, unless otherwise indicated.)

Comments:

1 Comments.

Login or Register to post comments

Posted by ninetymiles on September 11, 2009 18:32 ET

Woo hoo! Argentina, here I come!

Recent on Commerce:

Teacher in a box: Outsourcing homework to India

Saritha Rai - India - November 20, 2009 16:28 ET

Need help with that term paper, young American? Meet Saswati Patnaik.

Back to the Azores: a brand-new world

Ken Shulman - Europe - November 20, 2009 10:25 ET

The reverse flow of migration to this small chain of Portuguese islands is a modern marvel.

Cuba tries to keep the lights on

Nick Miroff - Cuba - November 20, 2009 06:55 ET

Cuba gets plenty of oil from Venezuela. So why is it adopting "extreme measures" to avoid blackouts?

How can 39 million buffalo be wrong?

Jason Overdorf - India - November 19, 2009 06:30 ET

Indian farmers discover the beauty of mozzarella.

Analysis: Obama in China: It's about the money

Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 18, 2009 10:57 ET

How, and why, Obama is treating the dragon differently.

Silicon Sweatshops: A promising model

Jonathan Adams and Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 18, 2009 06:54 ET

There's no easy way to police supply chains in Asia. But one US high-tech firm and its Taiwan supplier are taking a creative approach that might just work.

Special report: Silicon Sweatshops

Jonathan Adams and Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 15:05 ET

Despite strict "codes of conduct," labor rights violations are the norm at factories making the world's favorite high-tech gadgets.

What do you think about Silicon Sweatshops?

News Desk - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 15:04 ET

Are high-tech supply chains in Asia good business or exploitation? You decide.

Silicon Sweatshops: Shattered dreams

Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 07:24 ET

Migrant workers making gadgets at Taiwan's high-tech parks sign deals that make them modern-day indentured servants.

Silicon Sweatshops: The China connection

Kathleen E. McLaughlin and Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 07:22 ET

For migrant workers, an electronics factory job can be a ticket into China's booming middle class. But for many, it turns into a nightmare of poor working conditions and indifferent bosses.

Silicon Sweatshops: Disposable workforce

Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 07:22 ET

Laid-off Taiwanese workers accuse their firm of violating industry codes even when times were good.

Video: The Chinese on Obama

Josh Chin - China and its neighbors - November 16, 2009 19:16 ET

Japan’s downward spiral

Gavin Blair - Japan - November 16, 2009 18:17 ET

One in six Japanese are now poor. The new government has vowed to tackle the problem, but how?

Asia's pushback to big tobacco

Patrick Winn - Thailand - November 15, 2009 12:30 ET

The cigarette industry wants a bigger slice of Asia. Activists want them to butt out.

International visitors buoy US tourism industry

Susan E. Reed - Worldview - November 15, 2009 09:30 ET

Despite dreary economic times, a favorable exchange rate beckons foreign tourists to the majestic Grand Circle and beyond.

Obama in Japan: Reassuring an old friend

Justin McCurry in Tokyo - Japan - November 14, 2009 16:58 ET

America's first "pacific president" extends a hand. But it's not all smiles.

Obama in Beijing: What you will see. And won't see.

Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 14, 2009 15:56 ET

In China, anything is possible. Nothing is easy.

How other US presidents handled the dragon

Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 14, 2009 11:31 ET

From Nixon, to Ford, to Reagan, Clinton and both Bushes, dealing with China has never been simple.

On Location: Haryana — India's looming food crisis

Jason Overdorf - India - November 12, 2009 16:45 ET

Fat in Japan? You're breaking the law.

David Nakamura - Japan - November 11, 2009 08:40 ET

As the health care debate rages in the US, Tokyo lawmakers set a maximum waist size. Are you too fat for Japan?