The U.S. avoided a recession in 2023. What’s the outlook for 2024? Here’s what experts are predicting

Heading into 2023, the predictions were nearly unanimous: a recession was coming.

As the year comes to a close, the forecasted economic downturn did not arrive.

So what’s in store for 2024?

An economic decline may still be in the forecast, experts say.

The prediction is based on the same factors that prompted economists to call for a downturn in 2023. As inflation has run hot, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates.

Typically, that dynamic has triggered a recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of negative gross domestic product growth.

Some forecasts are optimistic that can still be avoided in 2024. Bank of America is predicting a soft landing rather than a recession, despite downside risks.

More than three-fourths of economists — 76% — said they believe the chances of a recession in the next 12 months is 50% or less, according to a December survey from the National Association for Business Economics.

“Our base case is that we have a mild recession,” said Larry Adam, chief investment officer at Raymond James.

That downturn, which may be “the mildest in history,” may begin in the second quarter, the firm predicts.

Of the NABE economists who also see a downturn in the forecast, 40% say it will start in the first quarter, while 34% suggest the second quarter.

Americans who have struggled with high prices amid rising inflation may feel a downturn is already here.

To that point, 56% of people recently surveyed by MassMutual said the economy is already in a recession.

Layoffs, which made headlines at the end of 2023, may continue in the new year. While 29% of companies shed workers in 2023, 21% of companies expect they may have layoffs in 2024, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement and business and executive coaching firm.

To prepare for the unexpected, experts say taking these three steps can help.

More than one third — 34% — of consumers went into debt this holiday season, down from 35% in 2022, according to LendingTree.

The average balance those shoppers are taking away is $1,028, well below last year’s $1,549 and the lowest since 2017.

But higher interest rates mean those debts are more expensive. One-third of holiday borrowers have interest rates of 20% or higher, LendingTree reports.

Meanwhile, credit card balances topped a record $1 trillion this year.

Certain moves can help control how much you pay on those debts.

First, LendingTree recommends automating your monthly payments to avoid penalties for late payments, including fees and rate increases.

If you have outstanding credit card balances that you’re carrying from month to month, try to lower the costs you’re paying on that debt, either through a 0% balance transfer offer or a personal loan. Alternatively, you may try simply asking your current credit card company for a lower interest rate.

Importantly, pick a debt pay down strategy and stick to it.

Much of how a recession may affect you comes down to whether you still have a job, Barry Glassman, a certified financial planner and founder and president of Glassman Wealth Services, told CNBC.com earlier this year. Glassman is also a member of CNBC’s Financial Advisor Council.

An economic downturn may also create a situation where even those who are still employed earn less, he noted.

Consequently, it’s a good idea to evaluate how well you could handle an income drop. Consider how long, if you were to lose your job, you could keep up with bills, based on savings and other resources available to you, he explained.

“Stress-test your income against your ongoing obligations,” Glassman said. “Make sure you have some sort of safety net.”

Yet surveys show many Americans would be hard pressed to cover a $400 expense in cash.

Experts say the key is to automate your savings so you do not even see the money in your paycheck.

“Even if we do get through this period relatively unscathed, that’s all the more reason to be saving,” Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate, recently told CNBC.com.

“I have yet to meet anybody who saved too much money,” he added.

Another advantage to saving now: Higher interest rates mean the potential returns on that money are the highest they have been in 15 years. Those returns may not last, with the Federal Reserve expected to start cutting rates in 2024.