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What We Do

The IMF’s three main roles are economic surveillance, lending, and capacity development.

Economic Surveillance

36 Country Health Checks

The IMF monitors the international monetary system as well as the economic and financial policies of its 190 member countries. As part of this monitoring, known as surveillance, which takes place both at the global level and in individual countries, the IMF highlights possible risks to stability and advises on policy adjustments to address these risks.

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Lending

$98 billion to 54 countries

including $10 billion to 31 low-income countries, for a total of $110 billion since the start of the pandemic

Of this lending, the IMF channeled $17 billion (equivalent to SDR 12 billion) in financing to 39 countries through emergency lending facilities, of which $6 billion was provided to 26 low-income countries.

The IMF provides financing to member countries experiencing actual, potential, or prospective balance of payments problems to help them rebuild their international reserves and restore conditions for strong economic growth, while correcting underlying problems. The IMF also provides fast-disbursing emergency financing with limited conditionality and has greatly expanded such financing to help member countries address the immediate economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Capacity Development

$251 million

for hands-on technical advice, policy-oriented training, and peer learning

The IMF works with countries to strengthen their economic institutions by providing technical assistance and training on critical economic issues. This work helps countries strengthen their economies and create more jobs. The IMF shares its knowledge with government institutions such as finance ministries, central banks, statistical agencies, financial supervisory agencies, and revenue administrations through hands-on advice, training, and peer-to-peer learning. IMF capacity development is delivered in person and remotely by long-term resident advisors in country or at regional CD centers, during short-term visits by IMF staff and experts, and through classroom training and free online courses.

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