Can wage growth recover in 2017? Don't count on it

By Clancy Yeates
Updated February 9 2017 - 1:08pm, first published January 17 2017 - 8:09am
Experts have consistently been surprised by the miserable pace of wage growth. Photo: Karl Hilzinger
Experts have consistently been surprised by the miserable pace of wage growth. Photo: Karl Hilzinger
Historically, falling unemployment has meant stronger wage growth. Photo: Louie Douvis
Historically, falling unemployment has meant stronger wage growth. Photo: Louie Douvis
It looks unlikely there will be strong growth in pay packets this year. Photo: Stephen Clark
It looks unlikely there will be strong growth in pay packets this year. Photo: Stephen Clark

It is the time of year for crystal ball gazing, including on economic matters. For people in the financial markets, that means preparing year-ahead forecasts on everything from the price of coal, to interest rates and the Australian dollar.