Georgia set for highest economic growth in region, PM

Georgia is expected to achieve the highest average economic growth among regional and European countries over the next five years, according to the International Monetary Fund, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said.

Speaking at an international capital markets conference in Tbilisi on Tuesday, Kobakhidze said that Georgia’s economy is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.1%.

He also cited the World Bank’s 2025 business readiness ranking, in which Georgia is placed among the world’s top four countries alongside South Korea, Singapore and Estonia.

According to the prime minister, Georgia ranks within the global top ten across several key business indicators and is second worldwide in operational efficiency and dispute resolution.

He further highlighted findings from the Chandler Institute of Governance, which point to strong institutional structures and position Georgia among global leaders in attracting investment.

Kobakhidze said these factors demonstrated that Georgia offered a stable, predictable and competitive environment for business and investment.

He added that the country’s financial sector remains stable, with growing public confidence in the national currency, the lari, which he said is at a historic high. This, he noted, is an important signal for international investors.

The prime minister also pointed to strong demand for Georgia’s recent Eurobond issuance, where investor interest exceeded supply by more than five times, describing it as a sign of confidence in the country’s economic outlook.

He said the development of capital markets is a key national priority, emphasising their role in supporting economic growth, improving resource allocation and providing long-term financing for the private sector.

Kobakhidze added that Georgia’s economic performance has remained strong in recent years, with average real GDP growth of 9.3% between 2021 and 2025, and 7.9% growth recorded in the first month of 2026.

He also noted “significant growth” in the domestic corporate bond market, which expanded by 33.3% in 2025 compared with the previous year.

He further claimed ongoing structural reforms, including the development of a funded pension system and capital market strategy, are helping to strengthen the country’s financial ecosystem and attract long-term investment.