IMF Blogs

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Looser Financial Conditions Pose Conundrum for Central Banks

February 2, 2023

Despite sharp monetary policy tightening, financial conditions have eased around much of the globe, posing a challenge for central banks

Economic growth

Latin America Faces Slowing Growth and High Inflation Amid Social Tensions

February 1, 2023

Restoring macro stability and boosting growth will require carefully-crafted policies that will help mitigate discontent

Financial markets

Countries Should Act Now to Limit Rising Risks From Corporate Distress

January 31, 2023

Sharp rises in global interest rates could spark corporate distress and pose wider problems for many economies

Global Economy

Economic growth

Global Economy to Slow Further Amid Signs of Resilience and China Re-opening

January 30, 2023

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas

The fight against inflation is starting to pay off, but central banks must continue their efforts

Economic growth

Latin America Faces Slowing Growth and High Inflation Amid Social Tensions

February 1, 2023

Restoring macro stability and boosting growth will require carefully-crafted policies that will help mitigate discontent

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Economic growth

Global Economic Uncertainty Remains Elevated, Weighing on Growth

January 26, 2023

From Brexit and US-China trade tensions to the pandemic and war, successive shocks have combined to keep uncertainty elevated

Economic growth

Slowing Global Economic Growth is Increasingly Evident, High-Frequency Data Show

November 13, 2022

While there are multiple headwinds weighing on growth, further policy tightening is expected amid the need to bring down elevated inflation

Economic growth

Asia and the World Face Growing Risks From Economic Fragmentation

October 27, 2022

Policymakers must act decisively to avoid the harm from fraying ties, and ensure trade remains an engine of growth

Digital Money & Fintech

Fintech

Crypto Contagion Underscores Why Global Regulators Must Act Fast to Stem Risk

January 18, 2023

Stronger financial regulation and supervision, and developing global standards, can help address many concerns about crypto assets

Fintech

Asia's Productivity Needs a Boost That Digitalization Can Provide

January 9, 2023

Amid slowing global growth, promoting technological adoption and closing digital divides can help the region boost aggregate productivity and economic output

Fintech

From Crypto to Central Bank Digital Currency, Podcast Tracks Fintech Boom

December 21, 2022

Our series examines how regulators, investors and central banks are embracing the promise—and bracing for the peril—of evolving financial technologies

Fintech

Africa’s Growing Crypto Market Needs Better Regulations

November 22, 2022

The risks from crypto assets are evident—it’s time to regulate

Fintech

Crypto is More in Line with Asian Equities, Highlighting Need for Regulation

August 21, 2022

Crypto trading volume, and co-movement with equity markets, has surged in the region.

Fintech

More African Central Banks Are Exploring Digital Currencies

June 24, 2022

Several sub-Saharan African central banks are exploring or in the pilot phase of a digital currency, following Nigeria’s October introduction of e-Naira.

External Debt

External debt

Riding the Global Debt Rollercoaster

December 12, 2022

The weaker growth outlook and tighter monetary policy call for prudence in managing debt and conducting fiscal policy

External debt

Dangerous Global Debt Burden Requires Decisive Cooperation

April 11, 2022

With elevated risks to sovereign debt, a global cooperative approach is necessary to reach an orderly resolution of debt problems and prevent defaults.

External debt

Restructuring Debt of Poorer Nations Requires More Efficient Coordination

April 7, 2022

An improved common framework for debt treatment could clear a path through an increasingly complex creditor landscape.

External debt

Global Debt Reaches a Record $226 Trillion

December 15, 2021

Policymakers must strike the right balance in the face of high debt and rising inflation.

External debt

The G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments Must Be Stepped Up

December 2, 2021

With the debt service suspension initiative expiring and interest rates poised to rise, low-income countries will find it increasingly difficult to service their debts.

External debt

Sovereign Domestic Debt Restructuring: Handle with Care

December 1, 2021

Restructuring domestic debt is like surgery: You only do it if you must, and you avoid it if it might do more harm than good.

Climate

Climate change

Swapping Debt for Climate or Nature Pledges Can Help Fund Resilience

December 14, 2022

Kristalina Georgieva, Marcos Chamon, Vimal Thakoor

Innovative debt swaps can help governments that have limited access to traditional grants or debt relief

Climate change

How Economies and Financial Systems Can Better Gauge Climate Risks

January 4, 2023

With the right tools, policymakers can help to manage the climate risks impacting economies and financial systems

Finance and Development Magazine

The magazine publishes insights on international finance, economics, & development.

fandd

Climate change

Bridging Data Gaps Can Help Tackle the Climate Crisis

November 28, 2022

A new data gaps initiative will play an important role in addressing climate-related data deficits

Climate change

How Blended Finance Can Support Climate Transition in Emerging and Developing Economies

November 15, 2022

Innovative instruments and equity finance are needed to enhance risk-sharing through public-private partnerships and maximize the impact of scarce public funds

Climate change

How Fiscal Policy Can Help Middle East, Central Asia Reduce Emissions

November 6, 2022

Early rollout of climate-mitigation strategies will help countries meet their Paris Agreement commitments and smooth the low-carbon transition

Inclusive Growth

Inclusive growth

Europe Could Do Even More to Support Ukrainian Refugees

December 15, 2022

Nicolo Bird, Neree Noumon

Greater integration into economies and labor markets would benefit Europe and refugees

Inclusive growth

Africa’s Rapid Economic Growth Hasn’t Fully Closed Income Gaps

September 21, 2022

Despite decades of rapid growth, regional inequalities in sub-Saharan Africa persist.

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Inclusive growth

Where Are the World’s Fastest Roads?

June 15, 2022

IMF staff have developed a novel measure of road quality across 162 countries using Google Maps to determine the mean, or average, time it takes to drive between large cities that are at least 80 kilometers (50 miles) apart.

Inclusive growth

Fragile and Conflict-Affected Economies Are Falling Further Behind

January 21, 2022

Even before the pandemic, fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS) already confronted some of the greatest challenges among the world’s economies.

Inclusive growth

Joint Action Needed to Secure the Recovery

October 27, 2021

G20 should lead in sharing vaccine doses, helping developing countries financially, and committing to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century.

Inflation

How Fiscal Restraint Can Help Fight Inflation

November 21, 2022

Fiscal policy can ease the task of monetary policy in reducing inflation while mitigating risks to financial stability

Inflation

Africa’s Inflation Among Region’s Most Urgent Challenges

October 20, 2022

Tackling inflation while supporting growth and protecting the vulnerable warrants careful and vigilant monetary policy tightening

Inflation

Wage-Price Spiral Risks Appear Contained Despite High Inflation

October 5, 2022

Analysis suggests a sustained acceleration of wages and prices is unlikely

Inflation

Africa Food Prices Are Soaring Amid High Import Reliance

September 27, 2022

Factors include the region’s heavy reliance on food imports and changes in food consumption and incomes.

Inflation

How Food and Energy are Driving the Global Inflation Surge

September 12, 2022

Rapid increases in food prices have been one of the main drivers of quickening inflation around the world, as our Chart of the Week shows.

Inflation

Shifting Global Winds Pose Challenges to Latin America

July 27, 2022

The region continued its strong recovery in early 2022, but decelerating economic activity and persistent inflation will test its resilience.

Gender Gap

Gender

How to Close Gender Gaps and Grow the Global Economy

September 8, 2022

Capturing the dividends from women’s economic equity. Too many women are locked out of economic opportunities, which is not only unfair but also harms growth and resilience for all.

Gender

Gender Budgeting Is More Widespread But Implementation Remains a Challenge

March 8, 2022

The pandemic has deepened long-standing gender gaps, with women continuing to bear the burden of unpaid work. By structuring spending and taxation in ways that advance gender equality—a process called gender budgeting—governments can help close the gap.

Gender

How Empowering Women Supports Economic Growth

March 7, 2022

International Women’s Day, first recognized by the United Nations in 1977, grew from early 1900s labor movements for better working conditions and women’s right to work.

Gender

How Domestic Violence is a Threat to Economic Development

November 24, 2021

Gender

Women in Economics

August 6, 2021

Gender

COVID-19: The Moms Emergency

April 30, 2021