IMF raises North Macedonia 2026 growth forecast to 3.5%
IMF lifts 2026 projection from 3.1% to 3.5% and expects 3.2% growth in 2027; Fund warns higher energy prices could push up inflation.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its growth forecast for the economy of North Macedonia for 2026 to 3.5 percent, up from its previous projection of 3.1 percent.
For 2027 the IMF now expects growth of 3.2 percent. In its latest regional estimates the Fund lists North Macedonia among the economies with higher projected expansion, alongside Albania and Kosovo, both also forecast at 3.5 percent for 2026.
Earlier, the World Bank revised up its own 2026 growth estimate for North Macedonia from 2.9 percent to 3.2 percent, citing infrastructure projects as a key driver of activity.
Key figures
The IMF also raised its projection for world economic growth in 2026 to 3.1 percent, while warning that higher energy prices and inflation pose risks. The Fund expects the average oil price to reach $96 per barrel, which it says would contribute to an increase in global inflation to 4.7 percent.
Higher commodity prices and rising inflation could weigh on the outlook even as domestic investment and infrastructure work support growth. Policymakers and businesses in North Macedonia will need to monitor energy and price developments closely, the IMF notes.
As with all forecasts, these projections can change as global and regional conditions evolve; the revised numbers nonetheless signal a stronger near-term outlook for North Macedonia compared with previous estimates.
Photo: press material from the event
