Country Reports
2024
March 13, 2024
Slovak Republic: 2023 Article IV Consultation-Press Release and Staff Report
Description: The Slovak economy continued to grow in 2023, with a large fiscal expansion and the easing of pandemic-era supply chain disruptions offsetting headwinds from soaring food and energy prices. Inflation has declined from comparatively elevated levels in 2022 and early 2023 but remains among the highest in the euro area. Adverse demographic trends pose medium-term challenges for growth and fiscal sustainability.
March 11, 2024
Sweden: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: After a strong post-pandemic performance, economic activity has weakened. GDP contracted slightly in 2023. An unprecedented monetary policy tightening started in mid-2022 to rein in inflation, which has been declining after peaking at 10.8 percent in end-2022. Weak real incomes, elevated interest expenses, and declining real estate valuations have weighed on private consumption and residential investment and strained the highly levered commercial real estate sector. Policies need to carefully maneuver the economy. Strengthening productivity growth is a key medium-term challenge.
March 11, 2024
Finland: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Recent developments and outlook. Weak household income growth, falling house prices, higher interest rates, and stagnation in Europe has caused activity to stall in Finland, with a contraction of 0.5 percent estimated in 2023. Labor markets have shown resilience, but unemployment is expected to increase somewhat in coming months, especially from the construction sector. However, inflation has fallen to more normal levels and financial conditions appear to be easing, paving the way for a modest recovery this year, strengthening further in 2025.
March 10, 2024
Malaysia: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Malaysia
Description: Malaysia’s growth momentum has slowed but remains resilient to external headwinds. While monetary policy has paused its tightening cycle, fiscal policy is consolidating, and the ringgit had been under pressure through most of 2023. The government’s commitment to the reform priorities outlined in its national strategic plans is yet to fully materialize, with the economy’s path to high-income status hanging in the balance.
March 8, 2024
St. Lucia: 2023 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: The economy has rebounded strongly after the Covid-19 pandemic and the commodity import price shock due to Russia’s war in Ukraine; output is currently near the pre-pandemic level. Higher government revenue has narrowed the fiscal deficit, but public debt is much higher than before the pandemic. The banking sector has adequate liquidity and is profitable, but NPLs are elevated, and additional provisioning is required. Rapid credit growth in the large credit union sector is a concern, and several institutions require additional capital.
March 8, 2024
Jamaica: 2024 Article IV Consultation and Second Reviews Under the Arrangement Under the Precautionary and Liquidity Line and Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Jamaica
Description: Over the last decade, Jamaica has successfully reduced public debt, anchored inflation, and strengthened its external position. It has built a strong track record of investing in institutions and prioritizing macroeconomic stability. This allowed Jamaica's response to recent global shocks to be prudent, agile, and supportive of growth. During the most recent fiscal year growth has remained strong, and inflation is converging to the Bank of Jamaica’s inflation target band.
March 6, 2024
Principality of Andorra: 2023 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Principality of Andorra
Description: After a remarkable recovery, the Andorra economy continues to grow slightly above potential despite significant external headwinds. Headline inflation is elevated amidst persistent core inflation and a tight labor market. The banking sector remains profitable, well-capitalized, and liquid.