Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

IMF upgrades Australian growth outlook

The International Monetary Fund has upgraded Australia's 2016 economic growth forecast despite earlier this week downgrading its world outlook.

When Treasurer Scott Morrison says the Australian economy is the envy of the world's advanced economies, it's not an idle boast.

A note prepared by the International Monetary Fund for this weekend's G20 finance ministers and central bank governors' meeting in China shows that it has upgraded its 2016 growth forecast for Australia to 2.8 per cent.

In April, the Washington-based institution had expected a growth rate of 2.5 per cent for this year.

Since April, Australia posted its strongest 12-month growth rate in over three years at 3.1 per cent.

It comes at a time when the IMF has downgraded its world growth forecast in the aftermath of Britain's surprise decision to leave the European Union.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Advanced G20 economies are now expected to grow by just 1.7 per cent this year.

Even the US, the world's biggest economy, is only expected to grow by 2.2 per cent.

But before Australia gets too cocky, its 2017 growth forecast has been trimmed to 2.8 per cent from three per cent previously.

Like the update to its April World Economic Outlook released this week, the IMF's G20 note focuses on the impact of Brexit.

It urges a smooth and predictable transition to the new relationship between the UK and EU, saying it is essential gains from trade are preserved.

"While uncertainty about the outcome of negotiations remains, policymakers should stand ready to act decisively should financial market turbulence threaten the global outlook," it says.

More broadly among the G20, it says for many advanced economies repairing budgets remains critical to lifting investment and containing vulnerabilities.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world