IMF raises global growth forecast to 3.3 percent for 2026

For last year, global growth is estimated at 3.3 percent, and for 2027 the forecast is 3.2 percent - in line with the previous forecast.

Headwinds from trade conflicts are being offset by tailwinds from increased investment in new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) - mostly in the US and Asia. Added to this are fiscal and monetary policy stimulus, favorable financial conditions and good private sector resilience, according to the IMF.

The growth forecast for world trade in goods and services is raised to 2.6 percent in 2026, 0.3 percentage points higher than previously projected, but down from 4.1 percent in 2025.