IMF projects Spain to lead advanced economies in 2026

Spain will lead the largest advanced economies for a third consecutive year, elDiario.es reported on Tuesday, following the publication of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) World Economic Outlook.

According to the note, the institution expects gross domestic product (GDP) in Spain to grow 2.5% in 2026. That figure exceeds the 2.3% estimated for the United States and doubles the euro area average, calculated at 1.1%.

The international body revised its Spanish forecast upward by four tenths of a percentage point, citing the dynamism of economic activity which, according to elDiario.es, stands out in a global context marked by resilience in the face of international conflicts and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

On the downside, the IMF update says inflation in Spain will be more persistent than previously expected. According to the information released, prices will rise 3.7% on average this year, while the increase will slow to 2.7% in 2027, squeezing household purchasing power in a scenario of high energy costs.