IMF Podcasts

In a wide ranging interview, the chief economist of the African development bank gave his thoughts on the African middle class, the state of data in Africa and the continent' stellar economic performance.

The recent slowing growth in emerging markets may continue for the foreseeable future says economist Tim Adams. At a recent seminar on "Emerging Markets: Restoring the Momentum", Adams suggested that this change could be a good thing, heralding more balanced and sustainable growth.

Dans son dernier rapport sur les perspectives économiques de l'Afrique subsaharienne, le Fonds monétaire international prévoit pour la région une croissance de 6 % en 2014, contre 5 % prévus pour cette année. La région bénéficie de l'amélioration de la conjoncture aux niveaux local et mondial.

In the latest economic outlook for sub-Saharan Africa, the International Monetary Fund expects growth to reach 6% in 2014, up from the 5% expected this year. The region is benefiting from improved domestic and global conditions.

Water is the one resource we cannot live without. Yet, in some parts of the world, it remains inaccessible to many. To coincide with his article (http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2013/09/Gleick.htm) in September's "Finance & Development," Peter Gleick argues that we need to radically change how we consume this vital resource.

Le FMI prévoit une croissance de 2,9 % de l'économie mondiale cette année, soit moins que les 3,2 % enregistrés l'année dernière. La croissance sera vraisemblablement tirée par les économies avancées, tandis que les pays émergents afficheront des résultats moins bons que prévu.

Before the global financial crisis, the economies of central, eastern and southeastern Europe were expected to converge to the levels of their richer, western neighbors. But since the crisis, growth has been disappointing. How then to return this region to greater prosperity?

As US politicians race against the clock to avoid the United States defaulting on its debt, Martin Wolf describes what the debt ceiling is, and its implications for the global economy.

In the latest update to its World Economic Outlook, the IMF says it expects the world's economy to grow by 2.9 percent this year—below the 3.2 percent recorded last year. Growth is likely to be driven by advanced economies, while the performance of emerging markets will be weaker than expected.

Despite its many achievements since the transition to majority rule, South Africa struggles with low growth, widespread unemployment, and sharp social tensions. The IMF says Africa's largest economy needs to pursue structural reforms to boost growth and create jobs for a growing population.