Caribbean & Central America - October 2026

HAITI | New IMF report warns of fragile economy. On 28 September the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a new report which painted a stark picture of Haiti’s economy. The report was released following the conclusion of a virtual mission on the Fourth Review of the Staff-Monitored Programme (SMP), an informal agreement between country authorities and the Fund which is not accompanied by IMF financial assistance.

The IMF report highlighted that Haiti’s economy remains fragile, with real GDP declining for the eighth consecutive year. GDP is forecast to contract by 1.7% in 2026, after declining 2.7% in 2025, 4.2% in 2024, and 1.9% in 2023. The IMF noted however that inflation has “eased significantly” and is projected at about 16% year-on-year in FY2026, down from its peak of over 32% in October 2025, while international reserve buffers, which it estimated at US$1.9bn by end-June 2026, “remain adequate”.

As regards risks, the IMF warned that “higher oil prices are weighing on the fiscal and external positions and have contributed to higher living costs”. It also signalled concerns that the recent end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in the US, a benefit blocking the deportation of people from countries experiencing “ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions” that “prevent its nationals from returning safely”, could “reduce remittance inflows and aggravate economic and humanitarian vulnerabilities.” TPS for Haitians was stopped by the US administration of President Donald Trump in July 2026.

Central America & Caribbean: inflation rate
Percentage variation (year-on-year)

Central America & Caribbean: GDP growth (%)
Quarterly figures are year-on-year growth