Economic performance in 2023 has been broadly positive, with decreasing inflation and a narrowing current account deficit, although real GDP growth slowed somewhat. Still, challenges related to infrastructure, governance, vulnerability to economic shocks, and limited economic diversification...

They Seychellois economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic but at a slowing pace. While tourist arrivals were about 91 percent of prepandemic highs and activity in the IT, construction, and fishing sectors was robust, real GDP growth slowed to about 3.2 percent in 2023. This...

Zambia faces a severe drought that has significantly impacted agriculture and electricity generation and affected a substantial share of the population, leading the President to declare it a national disaster emergency and plan a revision of the 2024 Budget. Despite these challenges, the...

This paper explores the catalytic impact of IMF lending to Low-Income Countries on Official Development Assistance (ODA) during 1990-2019. It disentangles the effect on the amounts of ODA on countries’ participation in IMF programs (“extensive margin”) and the size of the IMF-supported...

Context and outlook. Economic growth is recovering from the impact of the unfavorable global economic environment and domestic factors. Growth is expected to continue strengthening, supported by improvements in the business environment and subsiding global commodity prices. Inflation is...

The Bangladesh economy continues to face multiple challenges. Persistently high international commodity and food prices and global uncertainties have amplified macroeconomic vulnerabilities. A sudden reversal of the financial account intensified pressures on foreign exchange reserves and the...

The Armenian economy continues to perform strongly, and the outlook is broadly positive. Growth is decelerating gradually to more sustainable levels, as foreign exchange and migrant inflows peter out. Inflation has rapidly declined due to low imported food and energy inflation, Dram...

Recent developments, outlook, and risks. Kosovo's economy has continued to perform well, despite a challenging external environment. Real GDP growth moderated to 3¼ percent in 2023 amid subdued external demand. Inflation has decelerated sharply, reaching 2 percent y/y in the first quarter of...

Following the completion of a 27-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement in December 2022, political uncertainty, a security crisis, and exogenous shocks to oil revenue and interest rates led to a sharp macroeconomic and fiscal deterioration. The authorities implemented swift and bold...