INDUSTRY GROWTH TRAILS NOMINAL GDP GROWTH
In 2012, the global insurance industry grew 4.4 percent, continuing the pattern observed
in the past few years of growth in insurance lagging slightly behind nominal
GDP growth (4.6 percent). Preliminary reports estimate that in 2013 industry growth is
again behind GDP growth, posting 3.4 percent against GDP of 4.3 percent. The trend
means that on a relative scale, insurance as an industry has been experiencing mild
shrinkage. As demonstrated in the following discussion of the development of individual
lines in 2012 and 2013, the trend is largely driven by poor performance in life insurance
in mature markets (Exhibit 2).
Life insurance
In 2012, most mature markets faced low interest rates and tightening regulation. This
caused customers to move away from life insurance products and into other financial
assets, such as short-term deposit products. Growth in emerging markets has not
completely offset the pattern seen in mature markets. In 2012 and 2013, global life insurance
has been a volatile line, both year to year and region by region. Overall, life
insurance grew at 4 percent in 2012. In 2013, growth was much lower, at 0.4 percent.
In previous years, annual growth in life insurance has been around 2 percent,
well below GDP growth.