On 13 October 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published a new forecast for the Czech economy, in which it lowered its expected growth of gross domestic product (GDP) for Czechia for both 2026 and 2027 compared with its spring estimate.[3][4]
Forecast for Czechia
According to the new forecast, Czech GDP should grow by 1.8 percent in 2026, with the pace of growth expected to accelerate slightly to 1.9 percent in 2027, according to the IMF.[3][4] In its spring forecast, the IMF had projected growth of 2.2 percent for both years.[3][4] According to the IMF, the Czech economy grew by 2.6 percent in 2025.[3][4]
The IMF's new estimate is lower than the August prediction by the Czech Ministry of Finance, which expects growth of 1.9 percent in 2026, accelerating to 2.4 percent in 2027.[3] In August 2026, the Ministry lowered its earlier estimate from 2.1 percent, citing the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, which had driven up fuel prices.[3][4]
Comparison with Neighbouring Countries
According to the IMF forecast, the Czech economy is expected to grow faster in 2026 than Slovakia's, for which the IMF projects growth of 0.8 percent.[2][3] However, Czechia is expected to lag behind Poland, where the IMF forecasts GDP growth of 3.4 percent, and behind Hungary, with expected growth of 1.9 percent.[2][3]
Inflation
In the same forecast, the IMF estimated that the average inflation rate in Czechia will fall to 2.1 percent in 2026 from 2.5 percent in 2025.[2][3] In 2027, inflation is expected to rise again to 2.8 percent, according to the Fund.[2][3]
In August 2026, the Ministry of Finance predicted lower inflation for 2026, at 2.2 percent, citing the transfer of renewable energy payments to the state budget, cheaper food, and a stronger koruna as reasons.[2][3] For 2027, the Ministry expects inflation to accelerate to 2.7 percent due to rising electricity and gas prices.[2][3]
Global Context
In the same forecast, the IMF predicted that global economic growth would slow to 3.1 percent in 2026 from 3.5 percent in 2025, while expecting it to accelerate to 3.4 percent in 2027.[2] The Fund stated in its report that "the global economy is once again proving its resilience" despite the war in the Middle East and trade tensions.[2]
Related articles: Economy of Czechia
Chronology
- — The International Monetary Fund worsened its outlook for the Czech economy, now forecasting this year's GDP growth at 1.8 percent instead of the previously expected 2.2 percent. Novinky.cz iDNES.cz
Pages linking here
Sources
- Novinky.cz — 13 October 2026
- iDNES.cz — 13 October 2026
- Blesk.cz — 13 October 2026
- ČTK / České noviny — 13 October 2026