The IMF’s latest estimates show a 1.6-percentage-point growth gap between advanced and emerging economies in 2026.
IMF October 2026 World Economic Outlook · 2026 projected real GDP growth
| Economy group | Growth |
| World | 3.1% |
| Advanced economies | 2.1% |
| Emerging and developing economies | 3.7% |
| Emerging and developing Asia | 5.1% |
| Euro area | 1.1% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 4.5% |
Source: IMF October 2026 WEO DataMapper. All values are projected annual real GDP growth rates.
What the table tells us
Emerging and developing economies are projected to grow faster than advanced economies in 2026. But the groups differ substantially in economic composition and individual country performance.
The 3.7% emerging-market growth projection exceeds the 2.1% advanced-economy figure by 1.6 percentage points.
That is a difference in growth rates, not a measure of relative prosperity or absolute economic output.
The broader implication is straightforward: global growth is continuing, but its momentum is far from evenly distributed.
The nine145 number: 1.6 percentage points — the projected advanced-versus-emerging growth gap in 2026.
| IMF economic group | 2026 GDP growth forecast |
|---|---|
| World | 3.1% |
| Advanced economies | 2.1% |
| Emerging/developing economies | 3.7% |
| Emerging/developing Asia | 5.1% |
| Euro area | 1.1% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 4.5% |
These values are annual growth rates, not total GDP or measures of living standards.
Global growth comparison, 2026
IMF projected annual real GDP growth, percentage
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook DataMapper. October 2026 forecasts; growth gap is 3.7% minus 2.1% = 1.6 percentage points.
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