IMF Welcomes Accelerated Recovery of the Syrian Economy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed on Tuesday the “accelerating recovery” of the Syrian economy, following a visit by its mission to the country in late July aimed at “assessing the economic situation.”

Ron van Roijen, head of the IMF mission to Syria, stated that “the Syrian economy’s recovery is accelerating,” pointing specifically to “improved confidence among consumers and investors following political changes, the return of approximately 1.5 million refugees, and Syria’s gradual reintegration into the regional and global economies.”

He added, “Growth rates are projected to exceed 10 percent in 2026.”

To date, around 1.5 million Syrians have returned to their homes out of more than six million who fled during the civil war.

However, not all indicators are positive, as inflation, which had slowed significantly during 2025, “rose sharply during 2026.”

Van Roijen attributed this increase to “higher import prices, particularly for fuel and food, due to regional conflict, as well as improved domestic demand.”

He also highlighted other factors, “including increases in public sector wages. Although these increases started from very low levels, they contribute to improving living standards.”

The Fund noted a “notable improvement” in public finance performance, pointing to a “limited surplus” in the 2025 budget and forecasting “a significant rise in revenues during 2026, with a substantial increase already achieved in tax and customs revenues in the first half of the year.”