IMFSurvey Magazine: Interview

The center of the Polish capital, Warsaw, from the Pilsudski Square: The economy has done well, but institutions must remain strong (photo: Mateusz Wlodarczyk/Pacific Press/Newscom)
Poland: Strong Institutions a Must For Steady Growth
July 05, 2016
Globally Important German Financial System is Resilient
June 29, 2016
The financial system of Germany, home to systemically important financial institutions, has been bolstered by EU-wide and global reforms in the financial sector. At the same time, low interest rates and the ongoing transition to new supervisory and resolution mechanisms may pose risks, according to the IMF.
Developing Economies’ Untapped Revenues
June 17, 2016
Tens of billions of tax dollars go uncollected in developing countries every year, and whether it is because governments do not have the tools to implement tax policies or because there are not enough taxpayers on their books, the lost revenue often leaves a country unable to provide basic services to its people.
Portugal: Recovery on Track but Higher Growth Needed
April 01, 2016
Portugal has emerged from a severe economic slump: it has regained market access and unemployment has returned to precrisis levels.
Indonesia Navigates Safely Through Uncertain Times
March 15, 2016
Indonesia, one of the best performing emerging market economies, can take its economic success to the next level by more investment, particularly in infrastructure, and finding new sources of economic growth, says the IMF in its annual assessment.
IMF Middle East Training Center in Kuwait Explores Emerging Global Issues
January 15, 2016
About a year after its inauguration, Oussama Kanaan, Director of the IMF’s Middle East Center for Economics and Finance (CEF) in Kuwait, talks about expanding the center’s training capacity to tackle rising global challenges.
Thomas Sargent Recounts History of U.S. Debt Limits
December 23, 2015
In a recent visit to the IMF, Nobel Laureate Thomas Sargent brought to life the economic and financial history of the United States, with stories of how debt limits have evolved over the years before and since the creation of the Bretton Woods Institutions.
IMF Work Agenda Stresses Agile, Integrated, Member-Focused Approach
December 15, 2015
The IMF’s work agenda focuses on refining and adapting the institution’s core activities to support member countries as they face challenges posed by ongoing transitions in the global economy.
Sweden’s Economy is Robust, but Faces Challenges in Housing, Labor Markets
December 02, 2015
Sweden’s economy is performing well, with growth set to remain strong in the near term. But housing prices and household debt are elevated and rising, and unemployment is high among some groups.
A Blueprint for Portugal’s Future Growth
June 27, 2016
Portugal has bounced back from the global economic crisis, but to keep up momentum it will need to carry out additional reforms aimed at boosting growth, generating jobs, and improving competitiveness, according to a new IMF publication on the country’s economy.
The Role of Law in Financial Stability
May 10, 2016
An upcoming IMF conference will examine the role that the law plays in contributing to financial stability, and the need to empower regulators and enhance transparency and accountability in the financial sector.
Gabon Seeks to Diversify its Economy as Oil Revenues Decline
March 21, 2016
Hit hard by the recent oil price decline, Gabon can build resilience and revive growth by continuing to diversify its economy, says the IMF.
When National Cycles Coincide: Tracking Global Recessions and Recoveries
February 09, 2016
The world has experienced four global recessions since 1960. In a new multimedia book, two economists track what drives the global economy into and out of a recession.
The Global Economy in 2016
January 04, 2016
Maury Obstfeld joined the IMF in September as Economic Counsellor and Director of Research. In an interview, he reviews the major economic developments of the past year and looks ahead to 2016.
IMF Assesses Its Experience with Crisis Programs
December 16, 2015
IMF-supported programs helped chart a path through the global financial crisis, a new IMF study finds.
IMF Adjusts Its Policy on Arrears to Official Creditors
December 10, 2015
The IMF approves a reform that changes the way the institution approaches its financing decisions when a borrower nation is in arrears to official bilateral creditors.
Akerlof Says Free Markets May Manipulate Our Thinking
November 25, 2015
At a recent IMF forum, George Akerlof, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics, discussed his new book, Phishing for Phools, which is based on the idea that free market forces can produce systemic harm by exploiting human weaknesses.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo Scores High on Growth, Lags in Poverty Reduction
October 13, 2015
The Democratic Republic of the Congo exemplifies the difficulty that many developing countries have in transforming mineral wealth into inclusive growth. The IMF's latest annual economic assessment indicates that while growth rates for 2014 were as high as 9.2 percent, poverty rates in the DRC are among the highest in the world.