Gender

Press briefing for the World Economic Outlook Update on Monday, January 19 at 10:30 AM CET (4:30 AM ET), hosted at the Auditorium of the National Bank of Belgium in Brussels.

This report presents the 2025 TADAT assessment of Fiji’s tax administration against international good practices across nine performance areas. Strengths include taxpayer service information, risk profiling, and voluntary compliance support. Weaknesses were found in data integrity, human capital risk management, filing and payment compliance, audit coverage, and dispute resolution. Areas for development include data accuracy, human capital frameworks, compliance management, and VAT management and refund processing.

This technical assistance report presents a comprehensive assessment of the Yemen Customs Authority’s (YCA) operational challenges and reform opportunities amidst an ongoing conflict and economic crisis. Customs revenue, a critical fiscal source for Yemen, has suffered significant decline due to fragmented governance, outdated legal frameworks, weak enforcement mechanisms, and limited technological utilization. The report proposes a twelve-month emergency revenue mobilization plan embedded within broader structural reforms aimed at stabilizing and enhancing customs revenue collection. Key recommendations include strengthening strategic management, activating risk-based controls through ASYCUDA++ system fuller utilization, developing human resource competencies, enforcing anti-corruption measures, and formalizing collaboration between customs and tax authorities. The report outlines actionable steps to improve operational efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder engagement, ultimately supporting Yemen’s fiscal stability and economic recovery.

The paper synthesizes global experiences and key lessons in the regulation and supervision of cyber risk in the financial sector. It draws on the IMF’s financial stability surveillance and technical assistance work. It underscores the increasing frequency and complexity of cyber threats. These threats present systemic risk as financial institutions and market infrastructures become more reliant on digital technologies. The paper delineates established good practices for effective, proportionate, and outcome-oriented regulatory frameworks. To build these, authorities need to: (1) ensure frameworks address information and communication technology and comprehensive cyber risk management; (2) establish clear governance arrangements and rigorous risk management protocols; (3) conduct systematic testing and ensure robust oversight of third-party service providers; (4) apply good supervisory practices in supervision and oversight —including offsite and onsite supervision, thematic reviews, simulation exercises; and (5) develop strategies for sector-wide operational resilience. The findings advocate for a calibrated approach blending principles-based and prescriptive regulation, adaptable to the maturity of individual institutions. Ongoing supervisory visibility and capacity development remains essential. By providing actionable recommendations, the paper seeks to support authorities worldwide in enhancing cyber resilience, promoting financial stability, and preserving the integrity of the digital financial ecosystem.

A mission was undertaken in Beirut, Lebanon, from September 2 to 4, 2025, by the IMF Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Center (METAC) with the objective of enhancing Syria’s national accounts. The mission evaluated the current work plan for improving annual GDP estimates for 2022–2024 and provided recommendations to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). A comprehensive workplan was established to review data sources, compile supply and use tables, and strengthen staff competencies. This initiative encompasses both immediate improvements and medium-term capacity development, conducted in close coordination with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

Croatia’s public spending efficiency in education and healthcare can be increased. Increased efficiency would free fiscal resources that could be used for fiscal savings and/or improved outcomes. This would require reforms such as consolidating schools, increasing instructional hours, revising curricula, shifting emphasis from vocational education toward general education, and supporting tertiary enrollment. In healthcare, reforms should focus on telemedicine and primary care, reorganizing hospitals, and prioritizing preventive measures. These reforms would also foster human capital accumulation, reduce labor shortage and skills mismatches, boost productivity, and increase the creation and diffusion of innovation. They would improve potential growth.

This paper evaluates Armenia’s fiscal framework, focusing on fiscal rule design and implementation. Despite the 2018 reforms strengthening the Armenia’s fiscal rules, limitations persist: rules are somewhat procyclical and complex, ex-post enforcement is not legally binding, coverage is restricted to central government, and operational flexibility is limited. Armenia’s fiscal rules have served the country well, but further improvements could be considered. Drawing on international best practices, the paper recommends upgrading fiscal rules to improve countercyclicality, simplify design, broaden coverage, and strengthen transparency and enforcement. Proposed reforms include consolidating expenditure rules, formalizing escape clauses, expanding coverage, and empowering independent oversight.

Historically, Aruba benefited from population growth that expanded the labor force, thereby boosting productivity and fostering economic growth—a phenomenon known as the “demographic dividend”. However, declining fertility rates and a rapidly aging population are altering the balance between the economically active working population and those dependent on them. This study analyzes recent demographic trends and their potential impact on the labor markets and medium-term growth. Then, it discusses policies that could help to increase labor force participation (LFP) and reduce bottlenecks on further growth.

Botswana faces mounting macroeconomic risks from intensifying climate trends and fiscal strain from electricity subsidies. Rising temperatures, more frequent extreme heat, and longer droughts threaten agricultural yields, labor productivity, and long-term growth. Electricity subsidies further compound these risks, limiting the government’s capacity to respond effectively. This paper examines the macroeconomic and fiscal implications of climate shocks, outlines priorities for adaptation measures, and proposes energy sector reforms to reduce subsidy burdens. Aligning climate resilience and energy security with fiscal sustainability is critical to safeguard development.