The International Monetary Fund said it expects a global recession this year that will be at least as bad as the downturn during the financial crisis more than a decade ago, followed by a recovery in 2021. Nearly 80 countries have asked the Washington-based IMF for emergency finance, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a … Continue reading
The rise of inequality in advanced economies, and in particular the growing concentration of incomes at the top of the distribution, has become a greater focus of attention for economists and policymakers. Understanding the factors behind this phenomenon is essential to determine whether policy action is needed to reduce income inequality, taking into account other … Continue reading
The International Monetary Fund on Monday cut its forecast for U.S. economic growth this year, warned of sluggish growth for years to come, and made a bunch of suggestions for getting Americas economic house in order — including raising the abysmally low federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.” [G]iven its current low level compared … Continue reading
Income inequality has increased in both advanced and developing economies in recent decades. Increasing inequality has been attributed to a range of factors, including the globalization and liberalization of factor and product markets; skill-biased technological change; increases in labor force participation by low-skilled workers; declining top marginal income tax rates; increasing bargaining power of high … Continue reading
A new book called “Jobs and Growth: Supporting the European Recovery,” authored by IMF staff, analyzes today’s challenges head-on and proposes a roadmap for the continent’s recovery.The book and its roadmap should contribute to the ongoing debate around these pressing issues. The book’s analysis is informed by the relationship between jobs and growth, which is … Continue reading
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde will introduce the session, followed by comments from Wolfgang Schäuble, Finance Minister of Germany, and Luis de Guindos, Minister of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain. The event will be chaired by Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive of the European Policy Centre Continue reading
Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, has warned that long-term prospects for growth in the eurozone look bleak unless politicians act urgently to stoke domestic demand and tackle youth unemployment. After months of relative calm in financial markets, and with Ireland due to end its painful bailout programme and end its … Continue reading
A new paper by IMF staff says that comprehensive labor market reforms are needed to reorient the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies toward greater employment of nationals in the private sector, improve productivity, and support progress toward economic diversification Continue reading
The representatives of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, however, are deaf to his warnings. They are demanding additional belt-tightening measures, including more layoffs. Continue reading
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde on Thursday praised the Federal Reserve’s decision this week not to tap the brakes on its bond-buying program to stimulate the U.S. economy, saying it was still too soon to start the widely expected “tapering” operation on the Fed program. “The IMF has always said that it should be … Continue reading
Spain’s reform progress and a correction in its fiscal and external imbalances are helping it to stabilise its economy, but urgent action is needed to create jobs and stimulate growth, the International Monetary Fund said. The IMF, in a yearly assessment of Spain’s economy, on Friday projected a slow and difficult turnaround from eight straight … Continue reading
Over the last two decades, growth in most Asian economies has translated into significant reductions in poverty; nevertheless, Asia is still home to the largest number of the world’s poor Continue reading
Greece’s drive to crack down on flagrant tax evaders such as doctors and lawyers is flagging and must be reinvigorated, a report by the European Union and International Monetary Fund said on Monday. Athens has collected just half the tax debts and conducted less than half the audits it was supposed to under the targets … Continue reading
The IMF (International Monetary Fund) in its latest quarterly review of Ireland’s economy and prospects, says that “had all employees who lost their jobs since the outset of the crisis remained in the labour force,” instead of choosing emigration, the unemployment rate would stand at around 20%. The Fund seems to have little confidence in … Continue reading
Delivering the Nikkei Symposium Keynote Speech in Tokyo, Lagarde said, “In the IMF’s updated assessment of the world economy, to be released ten days from now, the global growth outlook will be somewhat less than we anticipated just three months ago.” “And even that lower projection will depend on the right policy actions being taken,” … Continue reading