IMF: War's Toll Pushes West Asia, North Africa and Pakistan Into 1.3% Contraction in 2026

Name: IMF: War's Toll Pushes West Asia, North Africa and Pakistan Into 1.3% Contraction in 2026
Uploaded: 2026-10-22T21:35:18.626898+00:00
Description: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a 1.3% contraction across the West Asia, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region in 2026, driven by the fallout from the US-Israeli war against Iran. Gulf economies face a sharper 4.8% contraction, with current-account surpluses and fiscal balances both deteriorating.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a 1.3% contraction across the West Asia, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region in 2026, driven by the fallout from the US-Israeli war against Iran. Gulf economies face a sharper 4.8% contraction, with current-account surpluses and fiscal balances both deteriorating.

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