IMF projects 5% growth for Venezuela in 2026

The IMF estimates that the Venezuelan economy will sustain its growth, with GDP expanding 5% in 2026 and 7% in 2027, according to Banca y Negocios, which drew on the World Economic Outlook report. The forecast is an improvement over April's estimates, when GDP growth of 4% was expected for 2026 and 6% for 2027.

The projected growth places the country among the strongest rebounds in South America, surpassed in 2026 only by Guyana, with an expected expansion of 22.3%, while the average for Latin America and the Caribbean would be 2.3%. However, according to the same Banca y Negocios report, the IMF projects that the economy will continue to face high inflation, at 336.7% by the end of 2026 and slowing to 139.8% in 2027, figures that El Nacional also highlighted when it noted a moderation of annual price increases to an average of 174% for next year.

On the local institutional front, the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) held its monthly working meeting with representatives of public and private banks, as well as the Asociación Bancaria de Venezuela, a meeting led by the central bank's president, Luis Pérez González, according to the outlet Descifrado.

These IMF projections point to the continuation of the economic recovery after Venezuela lost more than 70% of its GDP between 2014 and 2021. Relations between the Fund and Venezuela resumed in April of this year, including a visit by technical staff to the country and the announcement of a permanent office during the first half of next year, as well as the use of a portion of Venezuela's reserve position at the Fund, amounting to $364 million.