WASHINGTON, DC – INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says the global economy has shown surprising resilience in the face of mounting geopolitical and economic pressures, performing “better than expected, but worse than needed.”
Speaking at a press conference during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings here in Washington, D.C., Georgieva pointed to a range of shifting global factors over the past six months—including fluctuating tariffs, political uncertainty, and fears of recession—that have tested economic stability worldwide.
Despite these challenges, the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook shows that global growth has remained steady. Growth is projected to slow only slightly—from 3.3 percent last year to 3.2 percent this year, and 3.1 percent in 2026.
“That’s better than we feared, better than we projected six months ago,” Georgieva said. “So the question is, why has the global economy shown such resilience in the face of uncertainty and profound transformations in geopolitics, in technology, in trade relations, and in demography?”
She credited stronger policy fundamentals, particularly in emerging markets that have strengthened institutions since the global financial crisis. She also noted that the private sector has adapted quickly by frontloading imports and reinforcing supply chains.
However, Georgieva cautioned that the broader outlook remains concerning.
“The outlook we have is underwhelming,” she said. “Medium-term growth prospects remain weak. Public debt is near record highs and continues to climb, and the global economy is excessively imbalanced. The forces of change are making the global economy less predictable, and it is impacting people. People are anxious. They're taking to the streets to demand better opportunities.”
Georgieva outlined three key policy priorities for countries to strengthen economic resilience: unlock private sector growth, secure strong macroeconomic fundamentals, and address growing global imbalances.
The meeting wrapped up on Friday at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC.