23 May 2012

Eurozone crisis seen as world's top threat

6:04 am on 23 May 2012

The OECD has warned the crisis in the eurozone poses the biggest single risk to the global economy.

In a new report, it says the situation in the eurozone remains fragile, despite the immediate dangers having been contained so far.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development predicts the economy of the eurozone, which comprises 17 countries, will shrink 0.1% this year, before rebounding to 0.9% growth next year.

The BBC reports the organisation also expects unemployment to stay high in the euro area - 10.8% this year and above 11% next year.

The jobless rate is currently 10.9%, the highest since the euro was formed in 1999.

The OECD consists of 34 countries.