IMF Highlights Economic Challenges and Surprise UK Growth

• The IMF urges support for low-income countries facing high inflation and war spillovers, which spend up to 14% of revenue on debt repayments.
• The IMF raised its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1%, noting that resilience is tested by energy constraints and fiscal risks.
• The UK economy grew unexpectedly, defying predictions of a contraction, according to official figures.
• Artificial intelligence is offsetting some of the economic impacts of ongoing conflicts, according to the IMF.
• The IMF warns that energy constraints and fiscal risks continue to challenge global economic resilience.