IMF's Gita Gopinath Says June's Global Economic Forecast Likely To Be Worse Than April's

On Friday, IMF (International Monetary Fund) chief economist Gita Gopinath said the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic could inflict "significant scarring" to the global economy and the outlook for recovery remains highly uncertain.

In April, the organisation projected a global economic contraction of 3.0 percent, however, Gopinath said the updated forecasts due to be released on 14 June, "will be very likely worse."

"There is profound uncertainty of recovery," she said in a virtual address to the 7th Asian Monetary Policy Forum noting the damage done in particular sectors like transportation, as well as the growing risk of bankruptcies and persistent job losses, coupled with expected changes in consumer behavior "one has to be concerned about the path of recovery."

"Many of these variables point to significant scarring effects," she said, which would leave lasting damage on the global economy.

In its World Economic Outlook in April, the Washington-based international crisis lender warned that the downturn could be worse if the pandemic was prolonged or saw a resurgence.

Last week, the World Bank said that it expects the global economy to contract by 5.2 percent, in the most widespread crisis in 150 years.