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[INTERNATIONAL] · Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen · 18 sources

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IMF warns Middle East economies face prolonged recovery from regional war

IMF World Economic Outlook Middle East conflict energy production disruptions economic contraction Saudi Arabia economy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a warning regarding the economic stability of the Middle East and Central Asia, citing the profound risks posed by prolonged warfare and disruptions to critical infrastructure. Jihad Azour, the IMF’s director for the Middle East and Central Asia, noted that the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Houthi movement is creating a scarring effect that will likely prevent regional economies from returning to their pre-war growth trajectories in the medium term.

The IMF projects a 1.3% economic contraction for the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan region in 2026. Saudi Arabia is expected to be particularly affected, with a projected economic contraction of 3.3%. While oil-exporting nations face significant short-term challenges, the IMF anticipates a strong, albeit uneven, recovery in 2027, with growth potentially reaching 6.6% as energy production and trade normalize.

Beyond the Middle East, the IMF’s October 2026 World Economic Outlook highlights diverse global trends. While some regions like Southeast Asia may see growth boosts from artificial intelligence investments, other areas face pressures from rising energy costs and geopolitical instability. The Fund has also urged advanced economies to address rising public debt levels amid spiking bond yields.

Entities

Antigua and Barbuda · Bank of Ghana · Eswatini · Ghana · International Monetary Fund · Iran · Jihad Azour · Saudi Arabia · Yemen · Zambia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

IMF forecasts slower growth, higher inflation for Antigua and Barbuda [antiguaobserver.com]
IMF Boosts Southeast Asia's 2026 Growth Forecast on AI Investment Surge [cambodianewsagency.com]
Ghana's Crude Oil Production Rises 30% after 5 Years of Decline [opemsuo.com]
IMF Warns Gulf Economies May Take Years to Recover from Iran War [thediplomaticinsight.com]
IMF lowers Eswatini 2026/27 growth forecasts [times.co.sz]
IMF Hikes Ghana Growth by Massive 1. 1 Points [thevaultznews.com]
Zambia GDP to Grow 5. 6% in 2026 and 4. 9% in 2027 With Inflation Easing to 8. 0%, IMF World Economic Outlook Projects [www.zambiainvest.com]
Advanced economies must 'act now' to lower debt as bond yields spike: IMF [myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com]
Продължителна война в Близкия изток и нови прекъсвания на енергийното [novini247.com]
Prolonged war, renewed disruptions pose biggest risk to Middle East region, IMF says [srnnews.com]
IMF: Global food crisis hitting 260 million poor people hard [thainewsroom.com]
ING Group Azərbaycanda ÜDM artımı ilə bağlı 2029-cu ilə qədər olan proqnozlarını verib [az.trend.az]
IMF Raises Ghana's 2026 Growth Forecast To 5. 7% [dailyguidenetwork.com]
IMF projects global economic growth of 3. 1% in 2026 [www.trend.az]
ING forecasts Azerbaijan’s economic growth at 1. 5% in 2026 [news.az]
IMF Africa Director Hails Ghana's US$3B Loan [www.riotimesonline.com]
100% del PIL globale: il FMI chiede tagli urgenti al bilancio mentre il debito pubblico mondiale esplode | Le notizie dall’Italia e dal mondo - upday News [www.upday.com]
Prolonged war, renewed disruptions pose biggest risk to Middle East region, IMF says [www.al-monitor.com]