The IMF appears more optimistic over the Greek economy's prospects for 2018 and 2019, but less so for the coming five-year period, while at the same time sounding "alarm bells" over the country's acute demographic problem.
In its World Economic Outlook, issued every six months, the IMF forecasts a Greek GDP increase in 2018 at 2 percent, increasing to 2.4 percent in 2019. Nevertheless, it predicts the growth rate to slow to 1.8 percent in the following year.
The revised forecasts by the Fund come closer to the Greek government's, 2.1 percent in 2018 and 2.5 percent for 2019.
The IMF also forecasts a current accounts balance deficit of 0.8 percent of GDP for 2018; easing to 0.4 percent for 2019.
