IMF: Labour Market Participation in Latin America
On 25 October 2024 the IMF launched the latest Regional Economic Outlook for the Western Hemisphere. A background paper to the report with the title Closing the Gap: Labor Market Participation in Latin America examined ways to increase labour force
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IMF Annual Meetings: Regional Economic Outlook – Sub-Saharan Africa
On 25 October 2024 the IMF presented the latest regional outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa. The report notes that the region is making economic progress, but macroeconomic vulnerabilities are persistent. Countries in the region are trying to implement
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IMF: Speech by the IMF Managing Director at the 2024 Annual Meetings Plenary
On 25 October 2024 the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, spoke at the 2024 Annual Meetings Plenary. The Managing Director noted that inflation has been falling, from 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023, to a projected 5.3% in the
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IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings: Regional Economic Outlook – Europe
On 23 October 2024 the IMF launched the latest issue of the Regional Economic Outlook for Europe. Europe’s economic recovery is continuing after a strong response to the recent crises. However, the recovery is falling short of Europe’s full
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IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings: World Economic Outlook
The October 2024 update of the World Economic Outlook was launched during the IMF/World Bank annual meetings. The report notes that global growth is expected to remain stable but at relatively low levels. The growth projection of 3.2% in 2024 and
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IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings: Fiscal Monitor Press Briefing
On 23 October 2024 the IMF held a press briefing on the launch of the latest issue of the Fiscal Monitor. On the panel for the press briefing were Vítor Gaspar, Director of the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department; Era Dabla-Norris, Deputy Director of the
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IMF: Opening speech at the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings
On 21 October 2024 the IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivered the opening speech at the IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings. The global wave of inflation is currently decreasing owing to a combination of resolute monetary
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IMF Report Looks at Ukraine’s Economy
On 10 September 2024 the IMF and the Ukrainian authorities reached agreement on the Fifth Review of the four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board. The statement issued by the IMF noted that
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IMF Working Paper: Advancing Labour Market Reforms in Korea
An IMF Working Paper of 23 August 2024 written by Stella Tam and Xin Cindy Xu looks at ways of advancing labour market reforms in Korea. The study looks at the structural challenges for the labour market in Korea and assesses the macroeconomic
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IMF Report on Latvia Makes Tax Recommendations
On 5 September 2024 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Latvia under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. Following recovery from the pandemic, Latvia’s economic growth contracted by 0.3% in 2023, with tighter
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IMF: Increased Research and Development Spending is not Boosting US productivity
An article in the IMF’s Finance and Development Magazine for September 2024 by Ufuk Akcigit, the Arnold C. Harberger Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, looks at the reason why research and development (R&D) spending does not
See MoreIMF Report on Turkey Recommends Tax Changes
On 28 August 2024 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Turkey under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The economic policies followed by Turkey since mid-2023 have reduced crisis risks and raised confidence. There was
See MoreIMF: Tax Policy Can Limit Carbon Emissions from AI and Crypto
An IMF blog of 15 August 2024, written by Shafik Hebous and Nate Vernon-Lin, indicated that tax policy can be used to restrict the surge in carbon emissions resulting from artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto. Owing to the amount of
See MoreIMF Report Looks at China’s Economy
On 2 August 2024 the IMF released a report following consultations with China under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The report notes that China’s economy has remained resilient even though there is continuing weakness in the
See MoreIMF Looks at the Contribution of China’s Service Sector to Economic Growth
An IMF country focus published on 2 August 2024 noted that reforms to further open China’s service sector can promote sustainable growth and help create jobs. The report notes that China’s growth has been rapid in recent decades and will remain
See MoreG20: Communique of the Meeting of Finance Ministers
Following the meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on July 25 and 26 2024, a communique was issued. Global Economic Outlook The Ministers welcomed the likely soft landing of the global economy. They are continuing to
See MoreIMF Issues Report on the Economic Situation of Lithuania
On 24 July 2024 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Lithuania under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The Lithuanian economy has begun a recovery with lower inflation reflecting lower commodity prices, tighter
See MoreIMF: Policies to Avoid Prolonged Slow Growth and Inequality
In an IMF blog on 23 July 2024 the IMF Director General noted that long periods of slow growth can increase inequality, but this outcome can be avoided if the correct policies are pursued. Referring to the upcoming meeting of the G20 finance
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