Bangladesh’s per capita GDP to edge past India’s in 2026: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reportedly projected that Bangladesh will surpass India in per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026, according to its April 2026 World Economic Outlook.

Data released by the IMF on April 14 estimates Bangladesh’s per capita GDP at current prices to reach $2,911 in 2026, compared with India’s $2,812. Per capita GDP, a key indicator of economic performance, measures a country’s output per person by dividing total GDP by population.

The report noted that in 2025, India’s per capita GDP stood marginally higher at $2,675, compared with Bangladesh’s $2,635. However, Bangladesh had previously outpaced India on this metric in 2023 and 2024.

Looking ahead, the IMF projects India to regain the lead by 2027, with per capita GDP estimated at $3,074 against Bangladesh’s $3,048. India is expected to maintain this lead until at least 2031.

In terms of overall economic size, India remains significantly ahead. Its total GDP is forecast to reach $4.1 trillion in 2026, compared with Bangladesh’s $510 billion.

The IMF’s ‘World Economic Outlook’, published twice a year, provides analysis and projections for the global economy in the short and medium term. The report highlighted that the global economic outlook faces risks from ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict in West Asia.

It warned that the West Asia conflict could act as a “significant counterforce” by affecting commodity markets, inflation expectations and broader financial conditions.

The IMF projected global economic growth at 3.1% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027, down from 3.4% recorded during 2024–25, indicating a modest slowdown in the pace of expansion.