EBRD upgrades Georgia’s 2026 economic growth forecast to 6%, raising projection by 0.5 percentage points
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has raised its forecast for Georgia’s economic growth in 2026 by 0.5 percentage points, projecting real GDP growth of 6.0%, according to the bank’s latest Regional Economic Prospects report.
The EBRD expects average economic growth across its regions of operation to slow from 3.4% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026 before recovering to 3.6% in 2027.
Regarding Georgia, the report noted that the country’s real GDP expanded by 7.5% in 2025, driven primarily by the services sector, while tourism remained a major engine of economic growth.
“On the demand side, private consumption was supported by strong real wage growth and robust credit expansion, while capital investment declined for the first time since 2021”, the EBRD said.
Economic growth accelerated further in the first quarter of 2026, reaching an annual rate of 9.1%, according to EBRD estimates.
“Inflation has remained above the National Bank of Georgia’s 3.0% target since March 2025, with annual inflation reaching 5.9% in April 2026. The fiscal deficit narrowed from 2.3% of GDP in 2024 to 1.4% in 2025, supported by strong growth in budget revenues and lower-than-planned capital spending. The ratio of external debt to GDP declined to 34.4% in 2025, reflecting strong nominal economic growth and a stable exchange rate”, the report said.
“The current account deficit fell from 5.3% of GDP in 2024 to a historic low of 2.6% in 2025. Gross international reserves increased to $6.5 billion in April 2026, providing coverage for approximately four months of imports”, the EBRD continued.
The report forecasts real GDP growth of 6.0% in 2026 and 5.0% in 2027. Large-scale investment projects in the real estate, transport, and renewable energy sectors could further accelerate economic growth.
However, the EBRD cautioned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could weaken economic activity by reducing tourism revenues and increasing the cost of imported energy resources.
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Annual inflation stood at 5.7 per cent in May - Geostat
03.06.2026.17:17
According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia (GeoStat), the monthly inflation rate in Georgia stood at 0.3 per cent in May 2026, while the annual inflation rate reached 5.7 per cent.
GeoStat reports that in May 2026, core inflation was 3.8 per cent compared to the same period last year. When excluding tobacco, the annual core inflation rate was slightly lower at 3.5 per cent.
“The formation of the monthly inflation rate was primarily influenced by price changes in the following groups:
Transport: Prices in this group increased by 3.2 per cent, contributing 0.39 percentage points to the monthly inflation rate. Price hikes were recorded for the operation of personal transport equipment (4.8 per cent), transport services (0.4 per cent), and the purchase of vehicles (0.2 per cent).
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: Prices in this group decreased by 0.6 per cent, contributing -0.22 percentage points to the monthly inflation rate. Prices dropped in the following sub-groups: vegetables and horticultural products (-7.5 per cent), milk, cheese and eggs (-1.9 per cent), oils and fats (-0.2 per cent), bread and cereal products (-0.1 per cent), and sugar, jam and other confectionery (-0.1 per cent). Conversely, prices rose for fruit and grapes (3.2 per cent), mineral and spring water, soft drinks and juices (2.4 per cent), coffee, tea and cocoa (1.5 per cent), fish (1.1 per cent), and meat and meat products (0.8 per cent).
Communication: Prices in this group decreased by 3.2 per cent, impacting the monthly inflation rate by -0.1 percentage points,” GeoStat stated in its published report.