Library Guides: International Inter-Governmental & Non-Governmental Organizations: IMF (2024)

Introduction

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is concerned with global economic growth and security. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations. The IMF works to promote exchange rate stability, balanced growth of international trade, and poverty reduction.

In order to help assure global stability, IMF activities fall within three categories:

  1. Surveillance of economic developments on a national, regional, and global scale.
  2. Technical assistance for low- and middle-income countries on designing and/or upgrading macroeconomic, financial, and structural policies.
  3. Lending to countries in need of financial assistance in order to rebuild international reserves, stabilize currencies, and/or pay for imports.

You can expect to find the following types of information and/or publications from the FAO:

  • Research, statistics, forecasts, and analysis based on tracking of global, regional, and individual economies and markets
  • The Global Financial Stability Report; published twice per year, provides up-to-date analysis of developments in global financial markets
  • Annual economic health checks of member countries
  • Updates about its lending programs
Library Guides: International Inter-Governmental & Non-Governmental Organizations: IMF (2024)

FAQs

What is the purpose of the IMF? ›

The IMF is a global organization that works to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for all of its 190 member countries. It does so by supporting economic policies that promote financial stability and monetary cooperation, which are essential to increase productivity, job creation, and economic well-being.

Is the IMF governmental or nongovernmental? ›

The IMF is governed by and accountable to its member countries.

What is the IMF and other international organizations? ›

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 189 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.

Who can apply for an IMF grant? ›

Veterans' associations, fraternities, sororities, and social clubs. Political, lobbying, or labor organizations. Private individuals or Individual petitions for scholarships, travel, or studies. Capital/infrastructure projects.

Does the IMF lend money? ›

The IMF provides financial assistance and works with governments to ensure responsible spending. The IMF offers various types of loans that are tailored to countries' different needs and specific circ*mstances. Loans to low-income countries carry a zero interest rate.

Where does IMF get its money? ›

IMF funds come from three sources: member quotas, multilateral and bilateral borrowing agreements. Member quotas are the primary source of IMF funding. A member country's quota reflects its size and position in the world economy. Read more on how the IMF regularly reviews quotas.

Who is the biggest borrower of the IMF? ›

Total IMF Credit Outstanding Movement From April 01, 2024 to April 10, 2024
MemberTotal IMF Credit Outstanding as of 03/31/2024Total IMF Credit Outstanding as of 04/10/2024
Argentina32,450,000,00032,450,000,000
Armenia, Republic of257,725,848257,725,848
Bahamas, The114,000,000114,000,000
Bangladesh1,353,626,5501,353,626,550
68 more rows

Who controls IMF? ›

The Executive Board (the Board) is responsible for conducting the day-to-day business of the IMF. It is composed of 24 Directors, who are elected by member countries or by groups of countries, and the Managing Director, who serves as its Chairman. The Board usually meets several times each week.

What are the disadvantages of IMF? ›

Limited resources: The IMF has limited resources, which can limit the amount of assistance it can provide to countries in need. Stigmatization: Bailout can stigmatize a country in the eyes of international investors, signaling that the country is unable to manage its own economy without outside assistance.

What are the benefits of the IMF? ›

Benefits of Membership

Because member countries are known to be following the IMF code of conduct, membership encourages investment and trade, leading to fuller employment. The IMF also provides technical assistance and financial support when the member country needs it.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the IMF? ›

The IMF's advantages are that it is effective, adaptable and helpful in reducing negative economic impact. The IMF's disadvantages can be seen in the disproportionate representation of the US and its harsh lending conditions.

Which country has the highest loan from IMF? ›

Earlier, in terms of loans from the IMF, Argentina ranked first with USD 46 billion, Egypt stood in second place with USD 18 billion, Ukraine came in third with USD 12.2 billion, Ecuador took the fourth spot with USD 8.2 billion, and Pakistan was at fifth position with USD 7.4 billion.

Can anyone join IMF? ›

Who can apply for membership hi the IMF? The prospective member must be a country in control of its own foreign affairs, and it must be willing and able to meet the obliga- tions of membership contained in the IMF's Articles of Agreement—its charter.

What is the IMF giving out program? ›

Giving Together is the IMF's philanthropic program supported by employees, retirees, and the Fund's corporate giving initiatives. With impact on both a local and global scale, the program raises funds for disaster relief, organizes staff volunteering, awards charitable grants, and runs the IMF's annual giving campaign.

What is the difference between the World Bank and the IMF? ›

The main difference between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank lies in their respective purposes and functions. The IMF oversees the stability of the world's monetary system, while the World Bank's goal is to reduce poverty by offering assistance to middle-income and low-income countries.

What is the purpose of the IMF quizlet? ›

The purpose of the International Monetary Fund is to: promote exchange stability, to maintain orderly exchange arrangements among members, and to avoid competitive exchange depreciation.

What is IMF in Mission Impossible? ›

Mission: Impossible is an American multimedia franchise based on a fictional secret espionage agency known as the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). The 1966 TV series ran for seven seasons and was revived in 1988 for two seasons. It inspired a series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise beginning in 1996.

Why does the US support the IMF? ›

In essence, the IMF is an international lender of last resort in the same way that the Federal Reserve is a lender of last resort in our domestic financial crises. The United States has a huge interest in these IMF contributions.

What are the basic functions of the IMF quizlet? ›

Major functions of the IMF are: To promote exchange rate stability, to maintain orderly exchange arrangements among members, and to avoid competitive exchange depreciation.

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