By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its forecasts, considering the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to its latest World Economic Outlook, it forecasts a 6.8-percent contraction in Iraq's GDP this year due to regional conflict, oil export disruptions, and potential infrastructure damage. For 2027, it expects a dramatic recovery […]
By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its forecast for GDP growth in Iraq upwards, and its forecast for inflation downwards. According to its latest World Economic Outlook, real GDP is expected to grow by 0.5 percent this year (up from a fall of 0.2 percent estimated in April), and 3.6 percent […]
By John Lee. The World Bank projects Iraq's economy will shrink by 0.9 percent in 2025, marking a downgrade of 2.3 percentage points from the April forecast. The contraction is mainly attributed to reductions in oil output as Iraq adjusts production to align with OPEC+ commitments. However, economic growth is expected to rebound strongly to […]
By John Lee. In a follow-up to last week's report on the state of the Iraqi economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a more comprehensive 64-page report on its findings. The full document package includes: A Press Release. The Staff Report prepared by a staff team of the IMF for the Executive Board's […]
By John Lee. In a follow-up to last week's report on the state of the Iraqi economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a new 19-page report titled: "Unlocking Iraq's economic potential: The role of structural reforms in boosting medium-term non-oil growth." Click here to download the full report. To browse our comprehensive library […]
By John Lee. A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that the restructuring of state-owned banks (SOBs) can foster the development of the private sector and improve growth. It adds: "Strengthening the financial sector can support private sector credit, fostering investment and growth. "To this end, the authorities are finalizing a […]
By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that Iraq's economy is facing considerable headwinds, with non-oil sector growth slowing from 13.8 percent in 2023 to an estimated 2.5 percent in 2024, impacted by reduced public investment, a weaker trade balance, and financing constraints that led to the accumulation of arrears. Real GDP […]
By John Lee. Real GDP in Iraq is expected to increase by 1.2 percent this year, according to the World Bank's latest Global Economic Prospects report. This represents a significant reduction on the previous forecast of 3.5 percent growth, issued in January. The report says: "In non-GCC oil exporters, current account balances are expected to deteriorate, mainly […]
By John Lee. A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded a visit with Iraqi officials, concluding: Economic Challenges: Iraq faces a highly uncertain global environment, declining oil prices, and acute financing pressures, which are harming economic activity and deepening existing vulnerabilities. Urgent Measures Needed: Contain the fiscal deficit by increasing non-oil tax […]
By John Lee. According to the latest World Economic Outlook from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Iraq's economy is forecast to shrink by 1.5 percent this year. This is a reduction from the 4.1 percent growth forecast in their October 2024 report. For subsequent years, the organisation predicts a return to strong growth. Globally, "the […]
By John Lee. According to the recently-published World Economic Outlook from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Iraq's economy is forecast to grow by 4.1 percent in 2025, up from 0.1 percent this year. A rate of 4.2 percent is projected for 2029. This would give it one of the fastest real GDP growths of all […]
By John Lee. US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Wally Adeyemo, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa' al Sudani met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss Iraqi banking sector reform, financial relations with the United States, and combatting illicit finance. Deputy Secretary Adeyemo congratulated Prime Minister Sudani on Iraq's significant progress […]
