IMF-News Information blog

Why are some countries rich and others poor?

Over the years, experts have pointed to a range of factors they considered crucial—from the relative freedom of markets, through the size of the population, to geography.

The rise of inequality is at the center of the current economic and financial crisis, says economist Robin Wells.

Since the onset of the global crisis, there has been much agonizing about the growing inequality found in many parts of the ... Read more »

In the years since the global crisis of 2008, the economics profession has been in turmoil.

Many have written about the mistakes that were made but also about the challenges and the reforms needed to sustain the global economic system.

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The crisis in the euro area has reached a critical stage, the staff of the International Monetary Fund said in its latest assessment, and urged the 17 countries of the eurozone to remain strongly committed to a robust and complete monetary union, including a unified banking system and more fiscal integration.

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Despite looming risks, Germany continues to perform relatively well, the IMF said in its annual report on the state of the economy.

The IMF called for policies to steer the recovery while guarding against downside ri ... Read more »

The Polish economy has, on average, performed better than peers throughout the crisis despite the challenging environment in Europe, the IMF said in its annual report on the state of the economy.

This reflected very s ... Read more »

High oil prices have enabled the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) to accumulate foreign reserves and comfortably finance an ambitious investment program, maintaining growth while keeping debt in check.

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For years, Sweden has achieved strong growth coupled with low debt and inflation.

Recovery from the 2008 crisis was V-shaped, thanks to a fast recovery in key export markets and a decisive domestic policy response—with output at ... Read more »

Low-income countries can strengthen overall economic stability and spur growth by building stronger and more diversified financial and banking sectors, according to a new policy paper from the International Monetary Fund.

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With the global economy still fragile and risks looming on several fronts, the IMF has drawn up a work program for the next six months aimed at restoring stability and growth, while also making progress on its own governance issues.

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Europe needs to revive economic growth to help break the vicious cycle that keeps many countries stuck in crisis mode—the feedback loop between weak government finances, weak banks, and weak growth that continually undermine each other. Europe also needs to tackle older challenges that hinder growth potential, the IMF said in a new paper.

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Rising levels of development financing by major emerging market economies have intensified the debate on aid effectiveness and debt sustainability.

Unlike aid from advanced-economy donors, financing from the major emerging market economies excluding Russia focuses on mutual benefits ... Read more »

The global community must work together to meet the challenges thrown up by the global financial crisis and to ensure future stability and growth, says the head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde.

During a keynote  ... Read more »