Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the managing director of the IMF, on Wednesday said high unemployment and growing inequality continued to undermine the global recovery.

At an event in Washington DC, Strauss-Kahn said: "What we have learnt over time is that unemployment and inequality can undermine the very achievements of the market economy by sowing the seeds of instability. In too many countries, the lack of economic opportunity can lead to unproductive activities, political instability and even