The 70 low-income countries (LICs) in the IMF’s membership experienced steady but modest growth in 2024, with marked divergence across countries. While 11 of the 20 fastest-growing countries in 2024 were LICs, many of the poorer and often also fragile and conflict-affected countries saw virtually no progress in per capita incomes over the past 15 years. Gradual fiscal consolidation proceeded in about half of the LICs, supporting further stabilization of public debt levels, but elevated debt service continues to constrain priority spending in many LICs. Growth is expected to accelerate over the medium term, while recent policy announcements on trade measures and official development aid will add to already elevated uncertainty and downside risks surrounding the outlook. […]