IMF Forecasts Crude Oil At $95.74 In 2026, Warns Of Tighter Squeeze For Energy Importers

The International Monetary Fund has issued a fresh oil price forecast for 2026, projecting crude at around $95.74 a barrel and warning that energy-importing countries could face a tighter squeeze on their budgets.

The IMF has also urged developing economies to trim public spending as they navigate the combination of elevated energy costs and global interest rate pressures. For oil-importing nations like India, higher crude prices typically translate into higher fuel costs, which can ripple through transport, logistics, and consumer inflation.

Energy regulators in several countries are reviewing the forecast as they set fuel pricing policy for the months ahead. Analysts say the actual price path will depend heavily on global supply decisions and demand trends in major economies through the rest of 2026.