IMF spokesperson says 2026 global growth to hold around 3%, weathering energy shock
MacroCommodityGeopolitics
International Monetary Fund spokesperson Julie Kozack said on the 10th that the global economy is withstanding the energy shock stemming from the war in the Middle East better than expected, and that the outlook for global economic growth of around 3% in 2026 remains unchanged. Speaking at a regular press briefing, Kozack noted that crude oil and natural gas prices remain elevated and that the energy shock caused by the war in the Middle East has not ended, while saying that "despite the war in the Middle East lasting six months, the global economy has remained resilient." She expressed the view that countries have been able to respond to the energy shock by drawing on crude oil and natural gas reserves, switching to new energy sources, and adopting demand-curbing measures. She added that "global economic growth has not deviated from its trajectory of around 3%," while also saying that "as I have pointed out before, uncertainty remains high." In its World Economic Outlook published in July, the IMF cut its forecast for global growth in 2026 to 3.0% from 3.1%, warning that the war in the Middle East, trade fragmentation, and the possibility of a correction in market expectations for artificial intelligence continue to pose risks. Average global economic growth was 3.5% in 2024 and 2025. The IMF will release its latest World Economic Outlook to coincide with the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings to be held in Bangkok from October 12 to 18.
