Foreign exchange shortages together with exchange rate misalignment led to a sharp decline in imports including fuel, fertilizer, medicine, and food. Large fiscal deficits, nearly 10 percent of GDP in FY2021/22, have been largely financed by domestic bank borrowing, resulting in rapid money...

Mexico has recovered more gradually from the pandemic than its peers and economic activity is expected to slow in the second half of this year and into 2023. Inflation increased as the economy emerged from the COVID-19 shock but is expected to plateau in the second half of 2022 and then...

The new administration, which came into office in May 2022, has had to confront the aftermath of a cyberattack on several government systems as well as the impact of the commodity price shock, slowing trading partner growth, and tightening financial conditions. After a strong rebound in 2021,...

The Russian invasion of Ukraine that started over seven months ago has caused large loss of life, large population displacement, and significant infrastructure damage. The impact on economic activity has been enormous: real GDP has severely contracted, inflation has risen sharply, trade has been...

Episodes of domestic policy uncertainty and acute market pressures in mid- 2022, coupled with a more challenging global environment, necessitated firmer program implementation and stronger policy reaction to ensure macroeconomic stability, rebuild policy credibility, and safeguard program...

The International Monetary Fund's engagement on social safety net (SSN) issues is likely to expand as member countries respond to growing challenges in the economic and fiscal landscape. SSNs play a crucial role in protecting households from poverty, promoting inclusive growth, and maintaining...

Moldova's economy is projected to stagnate in 2022 amid spillovers from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The war in Ukraine continues to weigh heavily on Moldova, although some initial pressures have subsided. Bank deposit net withdrawals came to an end and are now steadily being replenished. The...

Madagascar has not yet recovered from the pandemic and is struggling with the aftermath of a severe cyclone season and the fallout of Russia's war in Ukraine. After a sharp contraction of GDP in 2020 (-7.1 percent) and a modest recovery in 2021 (4.3 percent), growth is projected to stall in...

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated long-standing socio-economic vulnerabilities, which were further compounded by persistent energy shortages, flood-related damages at end-2021, and a sharp increase in global fuel and food prices caused by the war in Ukraine. These have put pressure on domestic...

Liberia is a fragile, low-income country. Per-capita income remains about a third of the level prior to the civil wars during 1989-2003. After a bout of economic instability, prudent monetary and fiscal policies reduced inflation to just over 5 percent in 2021 and budgets are financed without...