The economy's tepid recovery will have trouble staying on track in 2011 as the effects of government stimulus gradually fade.

Now that the economy has been stagnant for two consecutive decades, the government is uncertain if businesses will resume capital spending and consumers will return to their spending ways.

Business investment, sluggish since the global financial crisis in 2008, could take a significant upturn in 2011 thanks mainly to tax reforms endorsed in December. But there is uncertainty remaining over consumers, given the diminishing effects of the government's consumption-boosting programs.