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Falling oil prices: How are countries being affected?

2016-01-19 04:56:55

18 January 2016

Oil prices have fallen to their lowest level since 2003, sinking below $28 a

barrel before recovering slightly on Monday.

Analysts say the drop has been driven by oversupply, coupled with a fall in

demand because of a slowdown in economic growth in China and Europe.

There are fears that the lifting of Western sanctions on Iran could worsen the

existing problem, as the country prepares to pump more oil into the market.

The effects of falling prices are being felt by economies around the world.

But oil producing nations that rely on exports have been particularly hard hit,

with many now feeling the social and, in some cases, political impact.

Russia

As one of the world's largest oil producers, Russia has been a prominent victim

of the plunging prices.

About half of Russia's budget revenues currently come from energy exports.

The rouble is also under pressure from economic sanctions that the West imposed

on Russia for its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

On Monday, the national currency dropped to new lows, with the exchange rate

dipping to 79 roubles to the dollar and 86 roubles to the euro - something not

seen since December 2014.

Government departments have been ordered to cut spending by 10%, repeating a

policy imposed in 2015, Reuters reported.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has warned that the country's 2016

budget may have to be revised as a result of the "unpredictable" oil prices.

President Vladimir Putin's approval ratings remain sky high, at around 85%, but

ordinary people are increasingly struggling with rising food prices.

Analysts say keeping the lid on any discontent will be a top priority for the

Kremlin as the economic woes look set to worsen.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's income from oil fell by 23% last year, highly significant in an

economy where around 73% of total revenues comes from the industry.

The country announced a budget deficit nearing $100bn ( 68bn).

After the lifting of sanctions on Iran, share prices in oil-rich Gulf states

dropped sharply - with the Saudi Arabia Stock Exchange falling 5.4% on Sunday.

With no prospect of higher oil prices soon, experts say the kingdom's

conservative rulers are poised to introduce reforms. as they attempt to avoid

political discontent.

In December, King Salman raised the price of subsidised, cheap petrol by 40%.

There are also plans to decrease other subsidies, reduce the growth of public

sector salaries and limit the country's dependence on oil.

With Saudi Arabia's regional rival, Iran, entering the international market,

experts say the kingdom is unlikely to back any efforts by the Organization of

the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) to reduce production and increase oil

prices.

Azerbaijan

President Ilham Aliyev has ordered his government to draw up a series of

special measures to revitalise his country's economy in the face of tumbling

oil prices.

The plans would include a major programme of privatisation and strengthen

regulations on the currency market, his office said in a statement (in Azeri).

The announcement comes after dozens of people were arrested during protests

over rising food prices and worsening economic conditions in the city of

Siyazan last week.

Azerbaijan's economy is heavily dependent on oil exports. Nearly half its GDP

in 2014 came from the oil sector.

The country's currency, the manat, has fallen dramatically in value.

Analysts say Azerbaijan's government has done little to improve other

industries, despite repeated warnings about the dangers of relying on oil.

With the volatile currency, and the range of people suffering increasing,

protests may become more common.

Venezuela

Venezuela has the world's biggest known oil reserves, and oil exports account

for as much as 95% of the country's revenues.

However, the huge fall in oil prices in the past 18 months has slashed revenues

by 60%.

On Saturday, Venezuela's government announced a 60-day economic emergency to

deal with a worsening economic crisis. The edict includes tax increases and

puts emergency measures in place to pay for welfare services and food imports.

The government's move came as official figures showed that the Venezuelan

economy had contracted by 4.5% in the first nine months of 2015.

Meanwhile people in Venezuela have been suffering from food and basic goods

shortages.

Experts say this led many to vote for the opposition coalition, which won an

overwhelming victory in December's legislative election and dealt a huge blow

to the country's Socialist movement.

Nigeria

Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer but lacks sufficient refining capacity

and has to import most of its fuel.

President Muhammadu Buhari has already said falling oil prices are having "a

painful effect" on the country's economy.

Despite this, he announced plans in December to raise government spending in

2016 by 20%, by seeking overseas funding.

However, reports suggest the president requested the withdrawal of the 2016

budget on Sunday, in order to make changes.

As well as falling prices, the industry is also dogged by violence in the

country and oil spills.

On Monday, Nigeria's state oil company shut down crude oil flows to two of its

four refineries after weekend attacks on pipelines, a company spokesman told

Reuters news agency.

The closures at the Kaduna and Warr installations come amid efforts to boost

refining and wean the country off imports.