Some experts say the worst of the recession may be over, but others are pessimistic about the economic outlook.
A survey of economists by the Bloomberg financial news service projects U.S. unemployment will rise further this year, from 8.9 to 9.6 percent.
These experts also expect the world's largest economy to get smaller at a 1.9 percent annual pace in April, May and June, and gradually switch to modest growth later this year.
Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman says the U.S. and other governments need to do more than the current set of stimulus packages and interest rate cuts. He says half-measures will do too little to help banks and boost growth.
But the head of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet, said Monday that the global economy has weathered the worst of the recession and is ready to turn upward.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
