IMF Survey: Home

News, views, and analysis from the IMF

Crystal furnace in Baccarat, France: measures to ease workweek limits only indirectly address original distortion, IMF says (photo: Newscom)

France and Structural Reforms: Time for a True Rupture

May 15, 2008

The French government has pushed through several reform initiatives, including measures to boost work, investment, and purchasing power, but the needed critical mass to boost lagging growth and tackle persistently high unemployment is still to come, the IMF says in its annual assessment of France's economy.

Conference call transcript
Europe's structural issues

Europe faces further test
Press release

Countries & Regions

Coping With Food Price Increases in Sub-Saharan Africa

March 20, 2008
African countries face some difficult policy choices because of rising inflationary pressures that have caused a spike in food prices. But rising food and fuel prices will not translate into higher sustained inflation if the policy response is correct, according to an IMF analysis.

Vietnam's New Challenges Amid Signs of Overheating

March 07, 2008
Vietnam's economy is growing rapidly, attracting large inflows of foreign investment, but signs that the economy is overheating could threaten sustained growth unless the government takes action.

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IMF Survey Interview

IMF Aims for Flexibility, Rapid Response in Middle East

April 01, 2008
Afghanistan, Iraq, and the West Bank and Gaza have all experienced violent turmoil and political upheaval that disrupted their financial and economic systems. Three IMF mission chiefs share their insights on the Fund's unique role in working to stabilize government finances amid broader instability.

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What the Numbers Show

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Did You Know?

Since 1995, global capital flows have tripled to $6.4 trillion, reaching about 14.5 percent of world GDP, after 15 years of staying within a relatively narrow range of 2-6 percent. Slideshow.

IMF Research

IMF Predicts Slower World Growth Amid Serious Market Crisis

April 09, 2008
Global growth will decelerate in 2008, led by a sharp slowdown in the United States, amid a housing correction and a financial crisis that has quickly spread from the U.S. subprime sector to core parts of the financial system, the IMF says in its latest World Economic Outlook.

Credit Crisis Is Broadening, IMF Warns

April 08, 2008
The credit crisis, triggered by the U.S. subprime mortgage meltdown, is spreading to other mortgage and corporate debt markets and could have profound financial system and macroeconomic implications, according to the IMF's latest Global Financial Stability Report.

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In the News

Board Backs Plan to Adopt New Income Model for IMF

April 07, 2008
Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn applauded an agreement by the Executive Board to propose a new and sustainable income and expenditure framework for the IMF, calling it "a landmark decision that will put the institution on a solid financial footing."

Directors Back Reforms to Overhaul IMF Quotas and Voice

March 28, 2008
In a key step toward reforming the International Monetary Fund, the Executive Board backed a resolution that would achieve a significant shift in the representation of dynamic economies, many of which are emerging market countries, and give poorer countries a greater say in running the institution.

Books

Can Africa Make Trade an Engine for Growth?

March 11, 2008
Sub-Saharan Africa's share in world trade has declined since the 1970s. But increased demand for commodities from Asia's emerging economies is creating opportunities to reverse the decline. A new book explores the region's trade prospects.

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