IMF January 2026 WEO Update: growth of 3.3% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027The IMF has updated its outlook for the world economy
In its World Economic Outlook Update of January 19, 2026, the IMF projected global growth of 3.3 percent in 2026 and 3.2 percent in 2027, a slight upward revision from its October 2025 outlook. It says technology investment and fiscal and monetary support offset the drag from shifts in trade policy, and names a reassessment of technology expectations and rising geopolitical tensions as downside risks.
Key points
- Global growth is projected at 3.3 percent in 2026 and 3.2 percent in 2027, revised slightly up from the October 2025 World Economic Outlook
- Global inflation is expected to fall, and US inflation is expected to return to target more gradually
- The factors supporting growth are technology investment, fiscal and monetary support, accommodative financial conditions and private sector adaptability, which offset shifts in trade policy
- The downside risks are a reevaluation of technology expectations and an escalation of geopolitical tensions; the policy advice is to restore fiscal buffers, preserve price and financial stability, reduce uncertainty and pursue structural reforms
What to do in practice
- Global growth figures are widely quoted, so note that the IMF updates its outlook four times a year
- Check whether your own customers depend on exports, imports or overseas demand
The IMF (International Monetary Fund) publishes its outlook for the world's economies several times a year. On January 19, 2026 it said the world economy would grow 3.3 percent in 2026 and 3.2 percent in 2027, a little brighter than its October 2025 outlook.
- ○Applies: World growth of 3.3 percent in 2026 and 3.2 percent in 2027
- ○Applies: Technology investment and fiscal and monetary support help growth
- ○Applies: Worries: a rethink of technology expectations and tensions between countries
Points
- The world economy is expected to grow 3.3 percent in 2026 and 3.2 percent in 2027
- The figures were nudged up from the last outlook in October 2025
- The worries are changing expectations about technology and rising tensions between countries
What the words mean
- growth rate
- the share by which a country's or the world's economy grows over one year
- outlook
- a forecast of how things are likely to go from here
Global growth is projected at 3.3 percent for 2026 and 3.2 percent for 2027
- International Monetary Fund (IMF): IMF, World Economic Outlook Update, January 2026
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