The International Monetary Fund announced in its World Economic Outlook report released in mid-April 2026 a downward revision of its global economic growth forecast to 3.1% for the current year, primarily influenced by the ongoing repercussions of conflicts in the Middle East and supply chain disruptions. The report indicated that persistent geopolitical tensions exert upward pressure on energy prices and shipping costs, hindering efforts to curb inflation and weakening consumer purchasing power worldwide. The IMF warned that emerging markets and developing economies might be the hardest hit by this slowdown, urging policymakers to adopt urgent structural reforms and strengthen social safety nets. Despite these challenges, the fund emphasized that subsequent stabilization in energy markets could pave the way for a gradual recovery by 2027, provided regional escalations are tangibly contained.