AI investment props up global growth, but war and debt threaten outlook, IMF says

October 13, 2026 11:44 AM

AI investment props up global growth, but war and debt threaten outlook, IMF says

The global economy will still manage to top 3% real GDP growth this year as strong AI investment offsets the energy shock from the war in the Middle East, but downside risks are mounting and more countries are being left behind and vulnerable to rising debt loads, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday. Despite a more protracted conflict that has kept oil prices above $100 a barrel, the IMF is forecasting 2026 global growth at 3.1%, a slight uptick from the 3.0% it predicted in July. ...

IMF sees steady global growth in 2026 as AI boom offsets trade headwinds

January 19, 2026 3:14 PM

IMF sees steady global growth in 2026 as AI boom offsets trade headwinds

The International Monetary Fund again edged its 2026 global growth forecast higher on Monday as businesses and economies adapt to U.S. tariffs that have eased in recent months and a continued AI investment boom that has fueled asset wealth and expectations of productivity gains. The IMF in its World Economic Outlook update forecast global GDP growth at 3.3% in 2026, up 0.2 percentage point from its last estimate in October. That's even with 3.3% growth in 2025, which will also beat the October ...