ATHENS –
Greece’s economy is projected to grow by 2% both this year as well as in 2026, compared to 2.3% in 2024, according to IMF’s World Economic Outlook report subtitled “Global economy in flux, prospects remain dim” that was released on October 14.
The International Monetary Fund foresees Greece’s growth rate to remain higher than in the eurozone, where it is expected to stand 1.3% this year as well as in 2026.
According to the report, unemployment in Greece is expected to continue declining—from 10.1% last year to 9% this year, and further to 8.4% in 2026.
In terms of inflation, based on Eurostat’s harmonized index, the Fund projects an average rate of 3.1% in 2025, slightly up from 3% last year, before falling to 2.5% in 2026.
The current account deficit is forecasted to decrease from 7% of GDP in 2024 to 5.8% this year and 5.3% in 2026.
The Global Economy
According to the report, global growth is projected to slow from 3.3 % in 2024 to 3.2 % in 2025 and to 3.1 % in 2026.
Advanced economies are forecast to grow about 1.5% in 2025–26, with the United States slowing to 2.0 %, while emerging market and developing economies are projected to moderate to just above 4 %.
Inflation is expected to decline to 4.2 % globally in 2025 and to 3.7 % in 2026, with notable variation: above-target inflation in the United States—with risks tilted to the upside— and subdued inflation in much of the rest of the world.
World trade volume is forecast to grow at an average rate of 2.9 % in 2025–26—boosted by front-loading in 2025 yet still much slower than the 3.5 % growth rate in 2024—with persistent trade fragmentation limiting gains.
Growth risks are tilted to the downside, according to the IMF, as prolonged uncertainty, rising protectionism, and labor supply disruptions may constrain economic expansion. Fiscal vulnerabilities, potential corrections in financial markets, and institutional erosion could threaten stability, the IMF adds, urging policymakers to restore confidence through credible, transparent, and sustainable policies.
