Country Reports
2025
January 24, 2025
Haiti: Staff-Monitored Program-Press Release and Staff Report
Description: Recent developments. Haiti is facing exceptionally challenging circumstances. The deteriorating security environment, which reached crisis proportions in the first few months of 2024, has continued to worsen, disrupting supply chains (particularly energy and basic services) and feeding inflationary pressures. In November 2024, Haiti's transitional Presidential Council designated Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé to form a new government with a time-bound mandate through next elections. The government has a narrow but important window of opportunity to implement reforms that could help restore the country’s potential over the medium term.
January 23, 2025
People’s Republic of China—Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: 2024 Article IV Consultation Discussions-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Hong Kong SAR’s economy is on a path of gradual but uneven recovery following a protracted period of shocks. While the unemployment rate has declined to historical lows, employment loss has been sizable and domestic demand has remained weak amid tight financial conditions and property market downturn, both locally and in Mainland China. The territory’s integration with Mainland China, including in the context of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) initiative, has significantly increased in recent years, but rising regional competition has put pressure on some of its traditional growth engines, prompting the authorities to pursue new sources of growth, including from innovative, technology-driven sectors.
January 23, 2025
People’s Republic of China—Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Selected Issues
Description: 2024 Selected Issues
January 22, 2025
Oman: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Oman has achieved a remarkable improvement in its economic fundamentals. The fiscal and external positions have strengthened significantly, while nonhydrocarbon growth is picking up amid low inflation. Investor confidence has increased, paving the way for rising private sector investments. Sustained reform efforts would amplify gains from these accomplishments and help achieve the targeted economic transformation as set out under Oman Vision 2040.
January 22, 2025
Malta: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Malta has experienced strong growth over the past decade, primarily driven by export-oriented service industries, such as tourism and online gaming. Although growth is expected to moderate, it will remain among Europe’s highest in the near term, along with tight labor markets. Inflation has fallen to around 2 percent, but some inflationary pressures remain in the service sector. Strong growth has been supported by an influx of foreign workers and tourists, leading to increased density and strain on infrastructure and public services. This has raised concerns about the sustainability of the labor-intensive growth model. The financial system has demonstrated resilience amid successive shocks.
January 21, 2025
Finland: 2025 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Finland
Description: The economy has begun to recover from the 2023 recession, but the strength of the rebound is hindered by still weak construction investment and tepid growth among trading partners. Falling energy prices and weak domestic demand have temporarily reduced inflation below 2 percent. The economic recovery is expected to gain momentum in 2025, but downside risks, especially from abroad, remain elevated.
January 21, 2025
Republic of Poland: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of Poland
Description: The Polish economy is recovering, driven by a rebound in domestic demand. Private consumption growth is being driven by rising nominal and real wages, and lower inflation; still, inflation remains well above target against a tight labor market. The current account surplus has diminished in 2024 as imports increased, while exports are contained by the subdued growth in the Euro Area. Fiscal pressures remain high, in part due to elevated defense spending.