Country Reports
2025
January 10, 2025
Argentina: Ex-post Evaluation of Exceptional Access under the 2022 Extended Fund Facility Arrangement-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Argentina
Description: On March 25, 2022, the IMF Executive Board approved a 30-month arrangement for Argentina supported by the Extended Fund Facility (2022 EFF). Amounting to US$44 billion (1,001 percent of quota), it was the second largest non-precautionary arrangement in the Fund’s history after the 2018 Stand-by Arrangement for Argentina (2018 SBA). Of the planned 10 reviews, eight were completed. The arrangement is set to expire at end-2024.
January 6, 2025
Republic of Tajikistan: First Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument and Request for Modification of a Quantitative Target and a Reform Target-Press Release and Staff Report
Description: Tajikistan has continued to navigate the challenging external environment well. Real GDP rose 8.4 percent during January-September 2024, while inflation remained well-contained at 3.1 percent (y/y) in September. Robust remittances have boosted the external position, with FX reserves at more than 7 months’ import coverage, while prudent fiscal implementation has anchored a continued reduction in public debt. The banking sector remains stable amid steady growth in credit aggregates. Geopolitical fragmentation and regional tensions create uncertainty over the medium-term outlook.
January 3, 2025
Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe: Request for an Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
Description: The people of São Tomé and Príncipe (STP), a small fragile island state, have faced extraordinary challenges. STP continues to struggle with high fuel import needs, limited export potential, and depleted international reserves, and faced a massive balance of payments (BOP) shock in early 2023, which opened a large external financing gap. Inflation was stubbornly high in 2023 and the economy barely grew, dragged down by foreign exchange and energy shortages, as well as a large fiscal adjustment. Growth is projected to remain sluggish in 2024, while inflation has started to decline.
2024
December 23, 2024
Costa Rica: Post Financing Assessment-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Costa Rica successfully completed its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability (RSF) arrangements in June. Growth remains robust, inflation continues to converge to the central bank’s target from below, and international reserves are ample. While one-off revenue shortfalls and expenditures have reduced the primary surplus for 2024, policies remain consistent with the fiscal rule and fiscal consolidation is expected to resume next year. The authorities remain committed to a broad range of reforms, including those aimed at institutionalizing the progress they have achieved under the EFF and RSF programs.
December 23, 2024
Australia: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: While progress in addressing pandemic-induced macroeconomic imbalances continues, challenges remain, with inflation proving persistent. Labor and housing markets are exhibiting resilience. Australia remains vulnerable to geoeconomic fragmentation risks and faces a critical transition to net-zero emissions. Fostering competition and a smooth adoption of digital technologies could boost productivity.
December 23, 2024
Republic of Kosovo: 2024 Article IV Consultation and Third Reviews Under the Stand-By Arrangement and the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: The SBA has served as insurance against adverse shocks while guiding reforms to strengthen fiscal and financial governance and foster growth. The RSF has supported climate reforms to increase generation of renewable energy, boost energy efficiency, enhance regional cooperation, and strengthen crisis preparedness and transition risk monitoring. With strong domestic consumption, growth has accelerated in 2024, while inflation has declined. The fiscal outturn has been positive. However, strong demand for imports and lower remittances have contributed to a deterioration of the external balance. Key risks include higher commodity prices, weaker activity in Europe, and tensions in northern Kosovo. Parliamentary elections will take place in February 2025.
December 23, 2024
Paraguay: Fourth Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument, Request for Modification of Targets, Second Review Under the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, and Request for Rephasing Access-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Paraguay's economic activity remained strong in 2024. GDP growth is anticipated to reach 4 percent with some upward potential due to favorable performance of financial intermediation, services, and manufacturing. Inflation is firmly under control and expectations are well anchored. Monetary policy is close to its neutral stance. As projected, the current account has shifted into a wider deficit this year reflecting the post recovery adjustment in trade and higher imports. Fiscal consolidation is continuing with the deficit expected to reach the budgeted 2.6 percent of GDP. In the second part of the year, Paraguay has obtained an investment grade status from Moody’s for the first time in history.
December 23, 2024
Barbados: Fourth Reviews Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility and the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Alternate Executive Director for Barbados
Description: The authorities’ implementation of the home-grown Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT 2022) plan and their ambitious climate policy agenda remain strong, supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Economic growth in 2024 has been robust and inflation has continued to moderate, on the back of easing global commodity prices and lower domestic service prices. The external position continued to strengthen, and international reserves rose further to US$1.6 billion at end-September 2024, supporting the exchange rate peg. The near-term outlook remains positive. While Hurricane Beryl caused significant damage to the fishing sector and some coastal infrastructure, the macroeconomic impact is expected to be relatively moderate, in part reflecting its occurrence during the off-peak tourist season. Nevertheless, the shock once again demonstrated Barbados’ vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. In this regard, the authorities remain committed to improving the fiscal position and maintaining debt sustainability, while creating fiscal space to increase needed investment, including to boost climate resilience. At the same time, the government is continuing to advance structural reforms to achieve more inclusive, sustainable growth.