Overview

• The IMF's revised 2025 growth projection for Middle East and North Africa economies is 2.6%, down from 4% in October 2024.
• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies are now expected to grow by 3% in 2025, a reduction from the previous 4.2% forecast.
• Key factors driving the downgrade include global trade tensions, softer oil prices projected at $65–$69 per barrel, and reduced international aid, particularly for fragile economies.
• Protracted regional conflicts continue to impose severe humanitarian and economic costs, especially on non-oil-importing countries, whose growth outlook fell slightly to 3.4%.
• The IMF emphasizes the urgency of accelerating structural reforms, diversifying economies, and forging new trade partnerships to mitigate vulnerabilities.