Guyana is projected to lead the world’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, with real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 22.3 per cent, according to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Taiwan ranks second with projected growth of 10.7 per cent, followed by South Sudan at 10.5 per cent. Ethiopia takes fourth place with an estimated 9.2 per cent growth, while Kyrgyzstan completes the top five at 9.0 per cent.
Vietnam ranks sixth with projected growth of 8.4 per cent, followed by Uzbekistan at 7.8 per cent and Rwanda at 7.4 per cent. Tajikistan and Georgia complete the top 10, with growth rates of 7.3 per cent and 7.2 per cent, respectively.
The rankings, based on the IMF’s October 2026 World Economic Outlook, highlight the varied growth trajectories of economies across different regions.
Guinea ranks 11th with projected growth of 7.2 per cent, while Benin, Bhutan, India, Niger and Sudan are each forecast to grow by 7.0 per cent, placing them between 12th and 16th positions.
Mongolia and Uganda complete the 18-country list, with both economies projected to expand by 6.2 per cent.
The figures represent projected real GDP growth, which measures changes in economic output after accounting for inflation. They are forecasts rather than confirmed growth outcomes and may change as economic conditions evolve.
Guyana’s projected expansion puts it well ahead of the other economies on the list, with a growth rate more than twice that forecast for Taiwan, the second-ranked economy.
The rankings also feature several African countries, including South Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Guinea, Benin, Niger, Sudan and Uganda, reflecting the continent’s presence among economies expected to record strong growth in 2026.
However, projected GDP growth alone does not establish how economic gains will be distributed among citizens or whether higher output will translate into improved living standards.
