Dhaka, Oct 14 (V7N) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slightly reduced its GDP growth forecast for Bangladesh for the current fiscal year 2025-26, projecting an expansion of 4.9 percent. This marks a downward revision from previous projections of 5.4 percent in July and 6.5 percent in April.

The updated forecast was released on Tuesday in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook report. The IMF’s projection is marginally higher than the World Bank’s estimate of 4.8 percent, but slightly lower than the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) projection of 5 percent.

According to provisional data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the country’s GDP growth in the 2024-25 fiscal year slowed to 3.69 percent, the lowest post-pandemic growth rate in recent years.

In addition to the growth forecast, the IMF also projected a decline in inflation. The report indicates that average inflation in Bangladesh may drop to 8.4 percent during the current fiscal year, with further easing expected in the next fiscal year. By comparison, BBS data shows that average inflation in 2024-25 was 10.03 percent, the highest in the past 14 years.

The IMF’s report also highlighted ongoing global economic uncertainties, citing high tariffs on U.S. goods and other factors as sources of instability. If these global economic risks persist, growth could be further constrained. The fund forecasts global economic growth of 3.2 percent in 2025, considering the current international scenario.

The IMF’s revised projections underscore the challenges facing Bangladesh’s economy, including moderating growth and easing inflation, amid a complex global economic environment.

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