IMF lowers Russian 2026 GDP growth forecast from 1% to 0.8%

MOSCOW. Jan 19 (Interfax) - The International Monetary Fund has lowered its 2026 GDP growth forecast for Russia to 0.8%, from the 1% it expected in October, the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook Update, published on Monday.

The IMF's estimate is below the Russian Economic Development Ministry's 1.3% forecast, lowered from 2.4% in September, but within the Central Bank of Russia's forecast range, left unchanged at 0.5%-1.5% in October.

The IMF expects Russian GDP growth of 1% in 2027, below the Central Bank's 1.5%-2.5% outlook and the Econ Ministry's 2.8%.

The IMF estimates Russian GDP grew 0.6% in 2025, in line with its October World Economic Outlook, when it lowered its forecast from 0.9%.