BRUSSELS, Jan 19 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slightly upgraded its global growth forecast for 2026, saying the world economy has remained more resilient than expected despite trade disruptions.
Xinhua reported on the IMF's World Economic Outlook update, in which the world body upgraded its global growth forecast for 2026 to 3.3 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points from its October 2025 projection, and kept its 2027 forecast unchanged at 3.2 per cent.
It said the headwinds from trade policy uncertainties are expected to be offset by tailwinds from surging technology-related investment, as well as fiscal and monetary support, broadly accommodative financial conditions, and the adaptability of the private sector.
A breakdown of the data showed that growth in advanced economies is projected at 1.8 per cent in 2026 and 1.7 per cent in 2027. The IMF's projections table indicated that emerging market and developing economies are expected to grow 4.2 per cent in 2026 and 4.1 per cent in 2027.
Inflation is expected to continue easing globally. The IMF forecast global headline inflation will slow from an estimated 4.1 per cent in 2025 to 3.8 per cent in 2026 and 3.4 per cent in 2027.
