IMF Sees 6.3% Growth for Phl in 2026

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts robust economic growth for the Philippines as it sees a 6.3 percent expansion for the country in 2026, settling within the government's six to eight percent target for next year.

- By KEISHA TA-ASAN

In its latest World Economic Outlook update, the IMF gave its gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for 2026, higher than 6.1 percent projection for 2025 and the 5.8 percent estimate for 2024.

The growth forecasts for 2024 and 2025 were unchanged from the IMF's previous WEO report, which was released in October last year.

The Philippine economy grew by 5.2 percent in the third quarter of 2024, slower than the previous quarter's 6.4 percent growth. For the first three quarters, the country's GDP growth averaged 5.8 percent.

According to an IMF spokesperson, GDP growth for the next two years is projected to be driven mainly by domestic demand such as consumption and investment.

"Consumption growth will be supported by lower food prices and gradual monetary policy easing," the spokesperson told The STAR.